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Ricotta & Marks, P.C.

Employment Discrimination Lawyers

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What Is Race Discrimination?

Home FAQs What Is Race Discrimination?

By Ricotta & Marks, P.C. on August 19th, 2021 in

What Is Race Discrimination? If anyone is treated unfairly because of their real or perceived race, this is known as racial discrimination. Discrimination based on skin color is also a form of race discrimination. Even though race and color are similar terms, they are not interchangeable.

Discrimination based on one’s complexion, pigmentation, or skin hue (lightness, darkness) or tone is known as color discrimination. Discrimination based on race or ethnicity may occur between people of different races or ethnicities, as well as between people of the same race or ethnicity.

If a person is treated differently because of their affiliation with members of another race, this is also considered race discrimination. Direct discrimination occurs when an employer deliberately targets a member of an ethnic group. On the other hand, there can also be instances of indirect discrimination, such as when a relatively neutral workplace policy appears to exclude minorities for reasons unrelated to the job.

Furthermore, anti-discrimination legislation forbids discrimination based on stereotypes, perceptions about skills, traits, or success of members from certain ethnic groups.

What Are The Common Types Of Racial Discrimination In Employment?

You could have been a victim of racial discrimination in employment if you have encountered any of the following circumstances:

  • Firing/Hiring/Promotions: You apply for a position that you have outstanding credentials and experience. Since some of the company’s long-term clients are perceived to be uncomfortable dealing with people of color, you are not hired. You are informed that you will be laid off due to company cutbacks and reorganization, while white workers with the same job and less relevant experience than you will retain their positions. You have worked with a company for years, bugged employee-of-the-year awards severally, but every time you apply for promotions, it is awarded to less-qualified persons of a different race.
  • Harassment: One of your colleagues thinks it’s “hilarious” to offend African Americans, Asians, Latinos, and other minorities by using the “n-word” or other race-based slurs, in conversation. You’ve requested him to stop making these jokes, to no avail. The boss wants you to dismiss him, but he never confronts or punishes your colleague for his racist conduct.
  • Pay: You rose through the ranks from administrative assistant to project manager. You learn that a white project manager with similar qualifications and experience was hired recently and will be paid far more. In other circumstances, you might be a top salesperson who is reassigned to less desirable territories because it’s a minority neighborhood. Consequently, a white employee with lesser sales is assigned your client base and territory, allowing him to make more sales and eventually commissions.
  • Job Classification: You work for a corporation with an eight-tier job classification system; your duties have grown over time, but your job classification and pay have remained unchanged. Your white coworkers’ job classification and pay, on the other hand, have been modified to reflect their expanded responsibilities.

The examples described are by no means exhaustive, but they demonstrate the general elements of racial discrimination.

Find An Employment Attorney!

Both the federal and New York state laws prohibit racial discrimination in employment. Therefore, if you or your loved one believes they have been unfairly treated by their employer or your colleagues in the workplace because of your race, you can file a claim.

At Ricotta & Marks, P.C., the Long Island and Queens discrimination attorneys are dedicated to protecting employees’ legal rights. The attorneys have the right skills and experience in handling an extensive range of ethnic and racial claims. For a free consultation, call at (347) 464-8694.

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