How To Deal with Discrimination in The Workplace
Workplace discrimination is a real and serious problem. It can take many forms, from being passed over for a promotion to being fired because of your race or religion. And while it is illegal in the United States, it still happens all too often.
If you have been the victim of workplace discrimination, you may feel scared, alone, and helpless. You may not know what to do or where to turn. But don’t worry – you are not alone. There are steps you can take to protect yourself and fight back against discrimination.
They include:
Speaking Up
Some people don’t want to face the fact that they are experiencing discrimination at work. They may be in denial or may feel like they can’t do anything about it. But if you’re being discriminated against at work, it’s important to speak up.
This can be difficult, but it is essential. By doing so, you may be able to stop the discrimination from happening to someone else. And if you don’t say anything, it will only continue, so speak up! It may be the best thing that you do.
Documenting The Discrimination
One of the easiest ways to deal with discrimination in the workplace is to keep a private record of discriminatory behaviour. This can include dated entries in a journal, emails, and text messages. If there are witnesses, get their names and contact information too.
This documentation will be important if you decide to take legal action later on.
Talking to a Lawyer
As soon as it is possible to do so, you should speak with an employment discrimination attorney. Employment discrimination can be difficult to prove, and an experienced lawyer will be able to tell you whether or not you have a solid case.
He or she will also be able to give you an idea of what kind of damages you may be entitled to if your case is successful. This is why it is important to document this information, as it will provide your lawyer with the evidence they need to win your case.
Filing A Complaint with The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
The EEOC is the federal agency responsible for enforcing workplace anti-discrimination laws. If you have been the victim of discrimination, you can file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC.
You have 180 days from the date of the alleged discriminatory event to file a charge with them.
To file a charge, you will need to fill out an intake questionnaire which is available on the EEOC website. Once you have submitted the intake questionnaire, an intake specialist will review your charge to determine whether or not it meets their jurisdiction. If it does, they will open an investigation into your charge.
The investigation will usually involve interviews with you and witnesses, as well as a review of documents relevant to your case. Once the investigation is complete, the EEOC will decide whether or not there is enough evidence to support your claim of discrimination.
If they find that discrimination occurred, it will attempt to reach a voluntary settlement with the employer. If a settlement cannot be reached, the EEOC may file a lawsuit on your behalf.
You can also file a private lawsuit against your employer if you have been the victim of discrimination. However, you must first file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC and receive a “right to sue” letter before proceeding with a private lawsuit.
Discrimination can be difficult to prove, so it is important to gather as much evidence as possible before filing a charge or lawsuit. This evidence may include emails, text messages, witness statements, and performance reviews.
Conclusion
Discrimination in the workplace can take many different forms, from intentional discrimination and harassment to unconscious bias. No matter what form it takes, discrimination is never acceptable. If you think you’re experiencing discrimination at work, there are steps you can take to address the situation. In this article, we’ve outlined some of the options available to you if you experience employment discrimination.
We hope that by reading this information, you’ll feel empowered to stand up for your rights and get the justice you deserve.