Believe it or not, racial discrimination still occurs in the federal workplace in this day and age. Although federal law prohibits racial discrimination in the workplace, it doesn’t stop all employers from doing it. If you believe you’re being discriminated against at your federal job because of your race, you should speak to a civil rights lawyer, immediately.
Here are the most common types of racial discrimination in the federal workplace:
Hiring
Federal law prohibits employers from not hiring employees due to their race. However, some employers may still base their hiring decisions on race. Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to prove that you weren’t hired for a federal job solely because of your race. It’s important to consult with a lawyer to discuss your options.
Salary
It’s also illegal for an employer to pay someone a lower salary than their coworkers based on their race alone. For instance, an employer can’t legally pay a black marketing manager less money than a white marketing manager if their education and experience is similar.
Policies and Practices
There are certain employment policies and practices that can be seen as discriminatory, even if they apply to all employees. For example, employers are prohibited by federal law to make rules about certain hairstyles or clothing that are obviously aimed at certain racial groups.
Harassment
Sometimes racial discrimination in the federal workplace isn’t subtle. Employees may directly harass employees of other races. This may include using racial slurs or making offensive comments about someone’s skin color. Subtle teasing can also be illegal if it is frequent or severe.
Hiring a Federal Employee Lawyer
Do you believe you’re being discriminated against at your federal job because of your race? If so, you should talk to a qualified civil rights lawyer as soon as possible. Racial discrimination in the workplace is illegal and you shouldn’t have to go through all of that. A lawyer can review your case and advise you about the best course of action to take.
During your initial consultation, your lawyer will likely ask you several questions about the discrimination you’ve faced, such as how long the discrimination has been going on and what type of discrimination you’ve experienced. It’s important to answer each question honestly and with as much detail as possible. The more information your lawyer knows, the better he or she can help you.