What to Do When You’re Facing Discrimination at Work

Unfortunately, discrimination in the workplace is far more common than it should be, with almost 60% of Americans having experienced it in some form throughout their careers.

However, just because it’s common doesn’t mean it should ever go unchecked. If you feel that you’re being discriminated against in your workplace, there are steps you can and should take to address the issue. Not sure how to handle it? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.

Recognize and Document the Discrimination

Identifying the problem is the first step. Discrimination can come in various forms – race, age, gender, disability, and even pregnancy – and it could be overt or subtle.

For example, you might face directly racist comments or harassment. On the other hand, you might experience that your opinions are not taken seriously in meetings and suspect that it’s related to your gender. In both cases, you would benefit from seeking legal representation to aid employees in understanding their rights and the best way to document and report these incidents.

Understand Your Rights

Before taking any action, it’s important that you understand the law, as well as company policy, as it relates to your circumstances. Employees in the United States have basic rights under federal and state laws that you should be aware of.

Do some research online, or seek out assistance from a legal professional if you need to understand the intricacies of legislations like the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or any other laws that relate to what you’re facing.

Report the Discrimination

When you have identified a problem and understand a bit about the legal landscape, you need to report the issue internally. Who you report it to will depend on your company structure and the processes in place, but you will most likely need to go to the HR department or your direct supervisors.

Make sure to keep this professional and well-documented. File an official complaint in writing, and keep a paper trail of all correspondence regarding the issue.

Seek External Help

If you’re struggling to resolve the issue internally, you can also seek additional help externally. Consider speaking with a union or another organization, such as the EEOC or a local human rights organization.

You will also need to file a formal complaint and follow official procedures with these organizations, but they may be able to assist and support you through the process and help you achieve a favorable outcome.

Legal Action and Representation

If the issue cannot be resolved internally or you’re not satisfied with the outcome, you can consider taking legal action. In this case, it’s essential to be in touch with a qualified and experienced lawyer who specializes in employment law. They will be able to help you navigate the legal process and achieve the best possible outcome for your case.

Make sure you read reviews and consider an attorney’s past cases and successes before choosing to work with them.