Dealing With Workplace Discrimination

Discrimination has no place at work. Every employee should be treated fairly with dignity and respect. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Employers, managers, supervisors and others in positions of power sometimes fail to recognize an individual worker’s rights and worth.

Workplace discrimination not only creates a toxic work environment, but it is also illegal. If you have been discriminated against at work because of your race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or age, you have important rights. We understand that enforcing those rights can be intimidating. In this blog post, we cover how you, as an employee, can manage a very difficult and uncomfortable situation.

What Is Workplace Discrimination?

Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee unfavorably, often for reasons not related to the work performed. Under California employment law, there are specific things that employers cannot do. If they act against the law, they will be subject to legal action.

For example, a supervisor or manager cannot discriminate against an employee based on the employee’s sexual orientation, gender, age, color, religion, sex, nationality, disability, or pregnancy. All these actions constitute discrimination punishable by law.

Specific examples of workplace discrimination include the following:

• Dismissing or demoting an employee because of a pregnancy.
• Paying female workers lower wages for performing the same job simply because of their gender.
• Sending offensive messages, emails, or comments to an employee.
• Hiring younger staff by dismissing older workers within the organization.
• Passing up an employee for promotion or training because of the person’s gender, color, or race.

What to Do After You Have Experienced Discrimination at Work

If you believe you are a productive, hardworking, and excellent performer, but you have failed to move up in the company or were let go, there could be a chance that you have been discriminated against. Of course, the facts of your case will determine whether or not you have a case against your employer, which is why it is important to take the following steps to remedy the situation.

1. Document the Details

First, you will need to document what is happening. Create copies of messages, texts, comments, and other documentation related to discrimination or harassment. This information can later be used to support your case.

2. Report the Matter

If you are being treated unfairly by a coworker, you need to report the unfair treatment to your immediate supervisor. But if your supervisor is the perpetrator, you may want to refer to the company policy when reporting the matter.

3. File a Complaint

Most employers will retaliate when reported for discrimination, unfair treatment, or other workplace wrongdoing. However, the law provides limits to their actions. Unfortunately, this doesn’t stop them from victimizing employees who take legal actions. If you are fired from your job for reporting workplace injustices, talk to an employment lawyer to advise you on your options for filing a complaint.

Looking for an Employment Attorney in Santa Monica? Get in Touch

If you have been a victim of workplace discrimination in Santa Monica, we can help. Call us at (310) 957-2700 or fill out our online contact form to schedule an appointment with our team.