We offer representation to employees who have been subjected to discrimination on the basis of their race, color, or ethnic background. Such claims are actionable under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the New York State and City Human Rights Laws. In addition, a federal statute (42 U.S.C. section 1981) provides extensive protection against race-based discrimination.
This includes treating certain employees worse with respect to the terms and conditions of their employment (such as by paying them less, firing them, or failing to hire them), or creating a harassing or race-based hostile work environment. Such harassment can take many forms, ranging from making racially insensitive remarks, jokes, or slurs to deploying racially-charged objects (including nooses and voodoo dolls) around the office.
Ordinarily the harassment must be “severe” or “pervasive” to be actionable. One incident, if sufficiently severe (such as using the “n-word”), may be – but is not necessarily – enough.
Importantly, racial discrimination is not limited by the modern scientific understanding of the concept of “race”. Statutory protection extends to identifiable classes of persons who are subjected to intentional discrimination solely because of their ancestry or ethnic characteristics, including (for example) Arabs, Hispanics, Germans, Greeks, Italians, and Russians.
The law also protects employees who are subjected to adverse action(s) because an employer disapproves of their interracial association.
If you believe you have been subjected to race, color, or ethnicity discrimination, contact us today for a free consultation.