Race is a weighty topic in American politics because the laws and policies that our nation’s lawmakers enact have direct impacts on how we live our lives. Race is also an important topic when it comes to our workplaces. In New York and the rest of the United States, employers are prohibited from discriminating against individuals based on their race.
The bulk of the federal anti-racial discrimination legislation stems from Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Under Title VII, employers are not allowed to group workers together based on their race, may not pay or provide fewer benefits or workplace perks to individuals of different races, and may not impose adverse work decisions, such as discipline and terminations, on individuals due to their inclusion in a particular race.
Race may not play a role in employment decisions; as such, a person may not be rejected as a candidate for a job based on their race. Labor unions that represent men and women in the American workforce may not discriminate against members of different races, and state laws support and augment many of the protections provided for employees in Title VII.
Although it may seem like common sense to treat an individual professionally and hold them to the same standards as others, some employers struggle to provide fair working environments for individuals of different races. If you have experienced racial discrimination in your workplace, you may have legal options. It can be helpful for individuals in this difficult situation to speak about their legal problems with attorneys who provide employment law counseling through their practices.
