Regardless of who you are and where you work in Indiana, and the United States, your civil rights should always be protected in the workplace. Unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory acts based on national origin, impede equal opportunities for everyone.
At our Indianapolis law firm, national origin discrimination is one of the practice areas we take seriously. Our experienced workplace discrimination lawyers at HKM Employment Attorneys LLP are prepared to provide legal advice and representation on any discrimination claim.
What Does National Origin Discrimination Mean?
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) defines national origin discrimination as adversely treating employees or applicants based on accents, ethnic backgrounds, and/or appearances.
In Indiana, residents are empowered by law to work and/or seek employment without being discriminated against based on their national origin. National origin can include, but is not limited to, actual or perceived:
- A person’s name that is associated with a particular national origin group
- The cultural, physical, or linguistic characteristics associated with a national origin group
- Tribal affiliation or marital status or association with persons of a national origin group
- Association with schools or other religious institutions generally used by persons of a national origin group
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it illegal for employees to discriminate against their employees based on national law. Today, this law still holds true. Federal law and Indiana state laws prohibit employers from discriminating against employees or prospective employees based upon their national origin.
What’s the Difference Between Race and National Origin?
While race discrimination and national origin might appear to be the same, they are two separate issues. National origin is where a person or their ancestors are from. A person’s race is someone’s physical characteristics (typically skin color). The confusion between race and national origin usually arise when people tend to connect a person’s national origin with their race.
National origin discrimination is when discrimination is based on an individual based on their particular characteristics such as marital status, language barriers, citizenship, or an accent. Racial discrimination generally occurs when someone focuses negative attention on the color of someone’s skin.
How Can You Prove Discrimination Based on National Origin?
Typically, most employment discrimination cases need to be proven by circumstantial evidence. Depending on your case, your discrimination attorney will likely require some of the below information to help determine discrimination:
- Witnesses who can corroborate your claim
- Documents that can help support your claim. These can include texts, emails, other messages
- Any factors you believe can help your claim, such as additional details of your national origin, race, gender or even pregnancy status
National Origin Discrimination Lawyers
If you are a victim of workplace discrimination ranging from age discrimination to sexual harassment or wrongful termination, our employment law attorneys can help. At HKM Employment Attorneys in Indianapolis, our experienced employment law attorneys can analyze your potential case, and provide legal advice regarding the next steps for pursuing your national origin discrimination claim.
Call our law firm today for a consultation with a workplace discrimination lawyer.
