The race of a professional should not affect their career opportunities. State and federal regulations, as well as cultural changes, have made workplace racial discrimination less common and certainly less socially acceptable.
Unfortunately, some professionals still face mistreatment because of their race or skin color. Workers dealing with racial discrimination on the job generally need to take certain steps if they want to protect themselves, assert their rights and prevent others from experiencing the same discrimination. How can professionals in Kansas or Missouri respond to racial discrimination?
Recognize discrimination when it occurs
Racial discrimination in the workplace can take on many different forms, which can make it difficult to identify. Certain professionals, including those working in blue-collar careers, are at elevated risk of experiencing racial discrimination in the workplace.
For example, a company’s appearance standards may impose a no-beard rule that puts unfair pressure on workers with darker complexions who are more likely to develop severe razor burn. Harassment in the workplace, such as a group of coworkers making jokes or inappropriate statements that create a hostile work environment, is also common in the blue-collar sector.
What steps should workers take?
Employees dealing with racial discrimination on the job can protect themselves by following appropriate procedures. First, they need to document the misconduct that they experience. Saving electronic communications, keeping a journal of details about different incidents and even sharing details with coworkers can help provide verifiable records of what occurred.
Workers may then need to follow the company’s internal reporting procedures for discrimination. At the same time, they may want to discuss the situation with an attorney who can validate that they experienced discrimination and advise them on their rights.
Professionals generally have protection from direct discrimination by their employers, such as discriminatory policies and promotion discrimination. They also have protection from discrimination from co-workers. Companies should not allow a hostile work environment to negatively impact certain professionals because of their race.
Frequently, making use of those rights begins with filing an official report with state or federal authorities, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). If employers do not remedy the situation promptly, then workers may have the right to take legal action against their employers.
Trying to combat racial discrimination in the workplace can make workers anxious. Partnering with legal professionals, such as the team at Thornberry Brown, LLC, could take some of the risk out of that process. Our team can help evaluate the situation and document what occurred.
Workers can receive support as they communicate with their employers or initiate the EEOC investigation process. Reviewing what may have constituted workplace racial discrimination could help employees protect their careers and demand accountability from their employers.
