San Francisco Race Discrimination Lawyer

When you put in long hours at work, you expect to be rewarded. Consequently, if you are passed over for a promotion because of your race or ethnic background, it can take a personally devastating emotional and economic toll. While it might be a common problem in the workplace, employers are legally prohibited from discriminating against anyone on the basis of race or ethnic background. With the help of a workplace race discrimination attorney, you can fight for your rights and prevent other victims from being discriminated against as well.

What Is Race Discrimination in the Workplace?

Racial discrimination in the workplace can be overt or extremely subtle. It can even be as simple as not receiving a promotion or not getting hired on the basis of race. For employees, the hardest part is identifying when racial discrimination is happening. For example, the employer may justify promoting a different individual because of that person’s talent, so it is challenging to prove discriminatory intent.

On a federal level, employees are protected through Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which says that employers cannot refuse to hire or fire someone because of that individual’s race. They also cannot refuse to provide promotions or raises based on race. Furthermore, referrals, work assignments, and union membership cannot be denied according to race.

Residents in San Francisco and other areas may also have additional protections at the local level. Many states have laws regarding workplace discrimination, which may be similar to federal laws, but may also be more stringent. Whatever the case, you can always get help deciding your next step with the assistance of a workplace race discrimination attorney.

Examples of Race Discrimination in the Workplace

Racial discrimination can take many different forms. In an interview, an employer should never ask about an applicant’s race. If the employer asks a question like this and chooses not to hire the applicant, it could be considered evidence of discrimination. In most cases, the employer will not directly ask about an applicant’s race, and if the applicant asks why he or she was not hired, the employer may offer a different reason.

More subtle forms of discrimination also exist. The employer may use workplace policies, tests, or other hiring tools that single out a certain race. If the employer does not have a legitimate reason for these practices, it could lead to a claim of racial discrimination.

Sometimes, discrimination is more overt. A manager may say that he or she does not believe that individuals of a certain race have a strong work ethic or the ability to show up on time. If the same manager refuses to promote a qualified applicant of that particular race, the applicant may be able to file a racial discrimination claim.

Workplace Race Discrimination Statistics

According to one poll by CNN and the Kaiser Family Foundation, a total of 69 percent of African Americans and 57 percent of Hispanics said that many of the problems faced by their racial group involved past or present racial discrimination. An additional 15 percent of Hispanics and 26 percent of African Americans felt like they had been unfairly treated in their workplace in the last 39 days because of their race.

The challenge, though, is proving what an employer is thinking when he or she makes a workplace decision. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received 31,073 charges of racial discrimination in 2014, but 71.4 percent of the charges were dismissed for lacking reasonable cause.

Do I Need to Hire a Workplace Race Discrimination Lawyer?

When it comes to workplace discrimination, San Francisco residents have additional options available. Because these types of cases are difficult to prove, the assistance of a workplace race discrimination lawyer can benefit you. A lawyer can help you figure out if you have a strong case and assist you in gathering evidence, ensuring that all of your legal documents are in order so that you have the best chance in the courtroom.

A workplace race discrimination lawyer works exclusively for you, using their knowledge and experience to achieve the compensation you deserve—compensation for things like emotional distress, punitive damage, attorney fees, lost wages, and/or lost benefits. Your lawyer will help you get the justice you deserve.  Contact us today to start your free consultation.