Do you suspect that your employer has treated you differently because of your ethnic background? Did you apply for a job and suspect you were not hired because of your ethnicity? Do not simply let this pass. Stand up and take legal action.
Ethnic discrimination can show up in the hiring and interview process or in the process of assigning tasks to individuals.
No matter what form it may take, ethnic discrimination is illegal. State and federal laws prohibit employers from either conducting or allowing ethnic discrimination in the workplace. They clearly provide that no one should be treated differently on account of his or her ethnic background.
What is Ethnic Discrimination?
Under Kansas Acts Against Discrimination, it is prohibited to discriminate against anyone on the basis of their race, religion, color, national origin, or ancestry. In general, this type of discrimination is broad and applies to a wide range of behaviors, such as the following:
- Any action by a colleague or employer motivated by an individual’s ethnic background that results in different treatment.
- Actions that threaten an individual or make the individual uncomfortable in the workplace.
- Any form of action, words, or policy that results in different outcomes for you because of your ethnic background.
- Ethnic slurs, jokes, inappropriate physical contact, and even verbal association with certain groups or behaviors.
Identifying Ethnic Discrimination
Ethnic discrimination can be obvious but it can also be subtle. Even in today’s workplace, it can prove challenging to identify. There are some instances that would amount to ethnic discrimination, though. They include:
- Bias at different stages of employment such as hiring, promotion, termination, job training, and compensation. For instance, if an employer refused to hire you because of your accent or ethnic background, you may have a case of ethnic discrimination.
- Any action taken for reasons of safety or security that are actually based on stereotypes rather than sound reasoning or suspicion.
- Inappropriate jokes that consistently paint your ethnic background in a bad light.
- Refusing to let an employee meet with certain clients because of the ethnicity of the employee.
- Making policies that have an unequal impact on the employees. In this instance, the policies may have more impact on persons of one ethnic background than others.
- Treating employees differently. For instance, consistently refusing to give leadership positions to persons of one ethnic background.
- Laying off employees of a particular ethnic background due to “downsizing” while less-qualified employees of a different background keep their jobs.
- Paying employees of an ethnicity less than their colleagues even though they do the same work.
If you have been a victim of discrimination in any of the instances mentioned above, you may have a claim for ethnic discrimination.
If you feel you have been subjected to discriminatory words, actions, or policies, but are not sure if they amount to discriminatory conduct, you may want to contact the Kansas City office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commision. You should also contact a lawyer who can help you make sense of what you have been through.
Have Questions About Your Legal Rights After Being the Victim of Ethnic Discrimination? Contact a Kansas City Ethnic Discrimination Attorney
If you suspect you were discriminated against due to your ethnic background when applying for a job or being terminated at your current job, take the time to contact HKM Employment Attorneys. Our experienced and skilled legal team is ready and able to help.
