Your race should not prevent you from feeling comfortable in your job or having the opportunity to earn raises, promotions, etc. In California, strict laws exist to guard against racial discrimination in the workplace.
Unfortunately, discrimination sometimes still occurs. If you believe you have been the victim of such treatment, contact a Los Angeles racial discrimination attorney at the Kaufman Law Firm. We will evaluate your case and advise you on your legal options.
Racial discrimination in the workplace can take two general forms: “disparate impact” and “disprate treatment.”
This overview will explain the concept of disparate impact further down.
Racial discrimination in the form of disparate treatment tends to be fairly overt, as it consists of intentional hostile acts or behavior aimed at an employee due to their racial identity. Additionally, as the name implies, it consists of treating employees of a certain race differently than employees of other races.
Examples of this form of racial discrimination in the workplace include (but are not limited to) the following:
Those are just a few examples. To understand if you have been the victim of the disparate treatment form of racial discrimination at work, it’s best to consult with the experts at a Los Angeles racial discrimination law firm. We will review your case and let you know what your legal options may be.
As has been established, workplace racial discrimination in its disparate treatment form tends to consist of intentional acts. This is not necessarily the case with workplace racial discrimination in its disparate impact form.
This form of workplace racial discrimination occurs when a workplace policy has a negative impact on members of particular race even if said policy was not meant to have such an effect.
The Supreme Court Case of Griggs v. Duke Power Co. provided the foundation for our current understanding of disparate impact in the workplace. In the 1950s, Duke Power’s Dan River Steam Station in North Carolina separated workers into different departments based on a variety of factors. In the Labor department, the highest-paying position still paid less than the lowest-paying position in any of the other departments within the company.
The Labor department was also where virtually all of the company’s Black employees worked. This was because the company had such policies as requiring a worker to have a high school diploma and pass a “general intelligence exam” to work in any department other than Labor.
Given the time period, many of the company’s black workers did not have high school diplomas. This prevented them from working in other departments.
The Supreme Court found that having a high school diploma and passing a general intelligence exam were not necessary to qualify someone to work in many jobs outside of the Labor department. This decision has relevance today. Unless a policy serves a legitimate business purpose, if it disproportionately impacts members of a protected class, it is illegal.
Again, these topics can be challenging to understand. At the Kaufman Law Firm, an experienced Los Angeles racial discrimination attorney will gladly answer your questions. We will explain whether you have a valid racial discrimination case, and we will provide the representation you deserve if you decide to work with us. Learn more about how we can help by contacting us online to schedule a consultation.
Your job is more than just a source of income. It is a major part of your lifestyle. If you have been the victim of wrongful termination, wrongful demotion or any kind of discriminatory business practices, it is time to take action and contact a Ventura employment law attorney that can help. Attorney Matthew A. Kaufman and the team at The Kaufman Law Firm bring experience and a vast arsenal of legal resources to help clients recover the money they deserve.
To learn more, contact our California law office today and schedule an initial evaluation to discuss your case.