San Francisco Race & National Origin Discrimination Lawyer

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Employment discrimination on the basis of national origin or race is against the law. If your employer has made biased decisions against you and you believe those decisions were influenced by your national origin or race, contact The Sampath Law Firm for help and to protect your rights under the law.

What is Race Discrimination?

Race discrimination involves treating an employee unfavorably because he/she is of a certain race or because of personal characteristics associated with race (e.g. hair texture, skin color, or certain facial features). Race discrimination also includes color discrimination, which involves treating someone unfavorably because of skin color complexion.

Race discrimination can take various forms, including but not limited to:

  • Direct Discrimination: Overt actions where an individual is treated less favorably due to their race, such as being denied a job or promotion.

  • Indirect Discrimination: Policies or practices that appear neutral but disproportionately disadvantage individuals of a particular race.

  • Racial Harassment: Unwanted conduct based on race which creates an offensive, intimidating, hostile, or degrading environment.

  • Retaliation: Punishing an employee for complaining about racial discrimination or participating in an investigation or lawsuit regarding the same.

Prohibited adverse employment actions on the basis of race discrimination include:

  • Recruitment and hiring

  • Promotions

  • Wages

  • Employment benefits

  • Work assignments

  • Performance evaluations

  • Employment trainings

  • Transfers

  • Employee leave

  • Discipline

  • Layoff decisions

  • Discharges

  • Any other employment-related term, condition, or benefit

If you believe you've been the victim of race discrimination at your workplace, our experienced civil rights counsel can help. Contact the Sampath Law Firm today for guidance. 

What is Ancestry/National Origin Discrimination?

Ancestry and national origin discrimination involve treating an employee unfavorably because he/she/they are from a particular country/part of the world or appear to be from a certain ethnic background.  Ancestry and national origin discrimination can occur even if the employee is not actually from the country or is not part of the ethnic background the employer perceives he/she/them to be from.

Examples of possible claims of ancestry or national origin discrimination include:

  • Policies requiring that English be the only language spoken at work (unless justified as a legitimate business necessity and the employees have adequate notice);

  • Discrimination based on a person's accent; and

  • Employer dress codes that discriminate against a person's ethnic attire.

  • Ancestry and national origin discrimination are often unreported because victims do not know their legal rights or may be afraid to complain.

Standing up to national origin discrimination takes courage and the attorneys at SLF are here to protect your rights and deliver you the justice you deserve. Contact our office today to see if you have a potential national origin discrimination case.

Relevant Federal and State Laws

The following federal and California State laws are applicable to national origin and race discrimination cases.

Federal Laws

  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Title VII prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. It is enforced by the US EEOC (United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission).

  • Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA): The IRCA was signed into law in 1986 and includes anti-discrimination provisions to prevent employers from discriminating against individuals based on their nationality or perceived immigration status. This provision of the IRCA is designed to protect against national origin discrimination – note that this doesn't outlaw discrimination on the basis of citizenship.

California Laws

  • California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA): While federal anti-discrimination laws cover employers with 15 or more employees, California's FEHA extends protections to individuals working for employers with as few as 5 employees.

How to Protect Yourself Against Race and National Origin Discrimination in the Workplace

The workplace should be a setting where all individuals are treated equitably, irrespective of their race or national origin. If you suspect or face race discrimination at work, take proactive steps to protect your rights:

Know Your Rights

Familiarize yourself with workplace laws against race discrimination and national origin discrimination. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides federal protections. If you're in California, the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) is a key resource. Many companies also have anti-discrimination policies in place – make sure to read and understand your organization's policies and procedures.

Maintain Professionalism

Continue performing your job duties to the best of your ability. If you decide to raise a complaint or seek legal recourse, it's important to demonstrate that your performance was not a factor in any adverse employment action.

Raise Your Concerns 

Communicate your concerns to your supervisor or the company's HR department in writing. If your company has one, use its formal grievance procedure. If you feel uncomfortable addressing the issue directly with your supervisor, consider talking to human resources or an employee assistance program.

Consult a Lawyer

If you believe your rights have been violated and the situation isn't resolving internally, consult an attorney who specializes in employment law. They can guide you on the best steps to take – whether it's through mediation, filing a formal complaint with a government agency, or starting a lawsuit.

Contact an Experienced Race & National Origin Discrimination Lawyer in San Francisco

Race discrimination, national origin discrimination, and related forms of prejudice in the workplace are sadly still pervasive and it is imperative that this injustice be exposed. The Bay Area-based attorneys at SLF have the civil rights knowledge and experience to make a difference for you. Contact our office for guidance and to see if you have a potential case.

The Sampath Law Firm Is Here for You

At The Sampath Law Firm, we focus on employment law and we are here to listen to you and help you navigate the legal system.

Contact Us Today

The Sampath Law Firm is committed to answering your questions about employment-related law issues and other workplace injustices in California.

We'll gladly discuss your case with you at your convenience. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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