Discrimination in the workplace based on race, color, or national origin is unlawful. Such discrimination involves the unfair or unequal treatment of individuals or groups due to their racial or ethnic background, skin color, or the country/culture they come from.
These forms of workplace discrimination are prohibited under several federal and state laws, most notably Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Overview of Race, Color, and National Origin Discrimination
Race discrimination occurs when someone is treated less favorably because they belong to (or are perceived to belong to) a particular racial group.
Color discrimination refers specifically to being treated unfairly based on the shade or tone of a person’s skin, regardless of their race or ethnic origin. For example, a darker-skinned person may be discriminated against in favor of a lighter-skinned person of the same race.
National origin discrimination occurs when someone is treated differently because of their birthplace, shared ancestry, culture, language, or accent. This includes immigrants and U.S.-born individuals associated with a particular ethnic background.
Forms of Discrimination
Under Title VII, unfair treatment based on race, color, or national origin can take three main forms:
- Direct discrimination happens when a person is clearly treated worse than others because of their race, color, or national origin.
- Indirect discrimination occurs when a neutral policy or practice disproportionately affects individuals of a particular racial or ethnic group. For instance, requiring employees to speak only English at all times at work may unfairly impact people whose first language is not English (unless there is a strong business necessity for the rule).
- Harassment includes slurs, jokes, name-calling, or any offensive behavior that creates a hostile work environment.
Discrimination may also include retaliation against someone for reporting or opposing discriminatory conduct. Retaliation is any adverse action taken in response to an employee’s exercise of protected rights under Title VII.
Title VII Protections
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the primary federal law prohibiting employment discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.
Under this law, employers with 15 or more employees are barred from:
- Refusing to hire or promote someone because of race or ethnicity.
- Paying different wages or benefits based on race.
- Segregating employees by race or assigning duties based on national origin.
- Retaliating against individuals who file discrimination complaints.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for enforcing Title VII and investigating complaints of racial and national origin discrimination. Additionally, the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act) protects against discrimination in housing, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits race and national origin discrimination in federally funded programs, including education.
Remedies Available to Discrimination Victims
If you’ve experienced discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, you may be entitled to several legal remedies under Title VII and other civil rights laws, including:
- Compensation for lost income or benefits due to discriminatory firing, demotion, or refusal to hire.
- Restoring the victim to their job or providing future lost wages.
- Compensatory damages for emotional distress, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Attorney’s fees and court expenses.
- Court orders requiring employers or institutions to change discriminatory practices
Discrimination based on race, color, or national origin is illegal. If you’ve faced this type of unfair treatment in the workplace or elsewhere, you may have the right to take legal action.
Filing a complaint with the EEOC or pursuing a civil lawsuit may lead to the professional remedies you deserve and help prevent future discrimination.
Contact Houk Employment Attorneys for a Legal Consultation
Discrimination based on race, color, or national origin has no place in the workplace or any other professional setting. Federal and state laws provide strong protections to ensure individuals are judged on their qualifications and performance—not their background, appearance, or heritage.
If you believe you have been subjected to unlawful discrimination or retaliation, taking prompt action is critical to protecting your rights. An experienced employment attorney can help you understand your legal options, navigate the complaint process, and pursue the remedies you deserve. Contact Houk Employment Attorneys today to discuss your situation during a confidential consultation.
Our employment law firm is conveniently located near you, with an office in Phoenix, AZ.
Houk Employment Attorneys
1850 N Central Ave Suite 2010, Phoenix, AZ 85004
(480) 569-2377
