Brooklyn Race and Color Discrimination Attorney

Although New York is one of the most diverse cities in the world, people of ethnic and racial minorities have experienced a long history of discrimination in the workplace. At Naidich Law, we are passionate about protecting the rights of employees. If you were treated less favorably because of your race or color, a Brooklyn race and color discrimination attorney can advise you of your rights. Contact us today for a free 30-minute consultation.

What Is Race and Color Discrimination?

Race discrimination involves treating an applicant or employee worse because they are of a certain race or because of personal characteristics associated with that race, such as skin color, hair texture, or facial features. Color discrimination occurs when an applicant or employee is treated unfavorably because of their skin color.

This type of discrimination can occur even if the perpetrator of the abuse is the same race or color as the victim.

Types of Race and Color Discrimination in the Workplace

Race or color workplace discrimination can take several forms, including:

Disparate Treatment

Disparate treatment is a more overt form of racial discrimination and is easier to recognize. This discrimination occurs when a person is intentionally treated worse because of their race or color. Common examples of disparate treatment racial discrimination include:

• An applicant isn’t hired because they are part of a certain race or color.
• Employees of one racial group are not provided with the same opportunities for advancement as other employees.
• An employee is demoted after the boss learns of their status in a particular racial or ethnic group.
• A company only offers leadership training to members of a particular racial group or color.
• Employees of a certain race are required to work less desirable hours than other employees.

Employers will sometimes try to avoid allegations of racial discrimination by blaming these decisions on other factors (like poor performance), but this is often a ruse. An experienced Brooklyn workplace discrimination attorney can investigate your case to establish the nexus between the adverse employment action and your race or color.

Disparate Impact

Workplace discrimination can also occur even when an employer does not do anything intentionally to treat people of a certain race or color worse than others if they have policies in place that have a disparate impact on people of a certain race or color when the policy is not job-related and necessary to operate the business. For example, having a policy that prohibits having a beard could still be unlawful even when it applies to all races because it can disproportionately affect employees of a certain race or national origin.

Harassment

Harassment is also considered a form of workplace discrimination because it negatively alters the terms and conditions of employment. Race- or color-based harassment could include acts like:

• Using racial slurs in the workplace
• Making inappropriate racial remarks
• Displaying racially offensive symbols
• Making fun of an employee for their membership or association with a particular racial group
• Repeating racially-motivated stereotypes

When harassment is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile work environment or results in an adverse employment decision, it is illegal.

Discrimination Based on Association

It is also illegal to treat an applicant or employee worse because of their association with a person of a certain race or color, such as if they are married to a person of a different race.

Call for Your Free, Confidential Consultation with a Brooklyn Race and Color Discrimination Attorney

If you believe you have been harmed by race or color discrimination, learn more about your legal rights and options during a free, 30-minute consultation with Zachary Naidich. Contact us today to get started.