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National Origin discriminationIn today's diverse workplaces, the chances that an employee will work with persons from other countries or with different ethnic backgrounds increases all the time. Unfortunately, these mixed workplaces are sometimes the settings for discrimination based on national origin. If you believe that you have been subjected to discrimination at work based on your national origin, please contact Tanner and Associates to possibly schedule a consultation to explore your legal rights and options. You can also click here to get a Questionnaire to complete and return to us for one of our attorneys to review. ProtectionsBoth federal and state statutes protect workers from various forms of workplace discrimination. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a federal statute, it is illegal for an employer with 15 or more employees to discriminate against any individual with respect to compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment, based on the person's race, color, religion, sex or national origin. The State of Texas has also passed a law to protect workers – The Texas Commission on Human Rights Act – which follows Title VII's provisions. Both statutes prohibit discrimination based on national origin. definitionNational origin discrimination involves treating someone less favorably because he or she comes from a particular place, because of his or her ethnicity or accent or because someone believes that a person has a particular ethnic background. This kind of discrimination can exist in many forms, including derogatory comments, ethnic slurs and threats of physical violence. Employees can be subjected to national origin discrimination not only by their supervisors, but also by their co-workers. Discrimination based on national origin can happen when a person is not hired, denied a promotion or fired. Illegal discrimination can also include the denial of employment opportunities to a person because of marriage to, or association with, an individual of a particular national origin. It is also illegal for an employer to require an employee to work in a hostile or abusive environment if the employee suffers national origin harassment that affects a term, condition, or privilege of employment. Hostile working environment claims can be based on a series of discriminatory actions over a period of time. ProcessBefore a person can pursue a discrimination lawsuit, he or she must first file a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Texas Workforce Commission – Civil Rights Division or a local fair employment practices agency. A charge must generally be filed within 180 days of the occurrence of the discriminatory action to which the charge refers. Failure to take this important step may prevent a person from asserting any claims for discrimination against an employer. The attorneys at Tanner and Associates can provide you with the guidance and representation you need to file and pursue your charge and then prosecute your lawsuit for national origin discrimination. If you would like to contact us regarding a discrimination claim that is based on your national origin, please click here, fill out our questionnaire, and return it to our office, or contact us by phone or email. |