What To Do When Your Employer is Discriminating Against You?

Workplaces of all types can have their minor issues that make showing up to work hard, even at the best of times. Big projects, tight deadlines, and even simply being tired after a bad night’s sleep can make going to work something that you are not looking forward to. But all too often, there are more serious issues at play in the workplace that can make your employment unfair in a legal sense. These issues can include workplace discrimination, where a potential or current employer treats a job applicant or employee less favorably based on characteristics such as a person’s color, race, gender, religion, or national origin, among others.

Workplace discrimination is still a common issue that affects many individuals throughout the United States. Discrimination in the workplace can take shape in many forms that influence how individuals and groups alike are treated based on protected characteristics which can lead to workers being unfairly treated, denied workplace opportunities, and facing hostile work environments. But the important thing to know is that you have legal rights as a worker that protect you from workplace discrimination and there are steps you can take to help protect yourself.

So, what exactly can you do when your employer is discriminating against you in some form?

Disclaimer: The following is not intended as legal advice. Be sure to consult with a workplace discrimination lawyer in Minneapolis, Minnesota or your local area for legal advice and guidance related to your situation.

What are the 7 Types of Discrimination?

Workplace discrimination happens when an employer treats a job applicant or current employee unfairly based on one of seven protected characteristics under federal and state laws. These protected characteristics include:

• Race
• Age
• Sex
• National origin
• Sexual orientation
• Color
• Genetic information
• Disability

Discrimination based on these characteristics can take many forms, including if an employer unfairly disciplines or terminates an employee based on one or more of these characteristics.

Other examples of illegal workplace discrimination include:

• Only promoting or opening up work opportunities to workers of a certain race or sex.
• Assigning specific tasks to a group of workers that are all one race.
• Mocking workers based on their race, color, or sexual orientation.
• Paying female employees less than their male counterparts.

How to Deal with Workplace Discrimination

In 2023, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency that oversees and enforces laws related to workplace discrimination, reported that they had received 81,055 new charges of discrimination from workers during 2023’s fiscal year. This represented a 10% increase over the number of discrimination charges that were filed the prior year.

This number shows us that workplace discrimination is actively happening, but there are actions you can take if you feel discriminated against at work.

What Can You Do If You feel Discriminated Against?

There are a few different things you can do if you feel discriminated against at work.

1. Be sure to keep a record of the discrimination that you are facing on your own device or in physical form. This can include keeping copies of emails, direct messages, texts, photos, performance reviews, and other documents that showcase discrimination.
2. Keep a personal record like a diary to help track events that include the date, time, location, details of the action, and any other employees or witnesses that were around. Be sure to keep this diary on your own personal computer or in a notebook.
3. Review your workplace’s anti-discrimination policy which is typically found in an employee handbook or posted in your workplace. Often, these policies can help provide specific guidance on how to report discriminatory actions and behaviors in your workplace. You will also want to retain a copy of the policy for your own records.
4. Report the discrimination to your workplace. Follow any set guidelines on how to report the issue to give them the chance to address the issue.
5. Consult a workplace discrimination lawyer in Minneapolis. An experienced lawyer will be able to help you understand your rights as a worker under federal and state laws. They will also be able to provide you with legal representation and guide you through the legal process.

How Do You Deal with Unfair Discrimination in the Workplace?

The above steps are all important to follow if you are dealing with unfair discrimination in the workplace. Reporting the discrimination to your employer gives them the chance to address the issues you are facing in the workplace.

But if they fail to address the issue or ignore your report, there is one last step you can pursue.

You can file a complaint with the EEOC or your state’s fair employment agency, which can vary. These organizations will be able to help you by carrying out an investigation into your discrimination claim and taking any necessary action against your employer.

To report discrimination to the EEOC, you can easily follow the complaint procedure online. They require you to submit an online inquiry, schedule an interview with someone from the EEOC, and then submit a charge of discrimination.

For most cases that are reported to the EEOC, you will need to file a charge within 180 days as well.

Keep in mind that you can consult with a workplace discrimination lawyer before filing a complaint with the appropriate fair employment agency and that you should not hesitate to seek help if you believe that you are facing unfair treatment at work.

About the Author

Wanta Thome is a law firm with offices based in Minneapolis and Chicago that specializes in employment law. Their team of workplace discrimination lawyers in Minneapolis are dedicated to assisting individuals that are facing all manner of workplace disputes including general employee rights, securing owed and rightful compensation, and addressing discrimination issues. They are a results-driven firm that seeks to foster an equitable work environment through their legal knowledge and representation for their clients. To speak with an experienced workplace discrimination lawyer in Minneapolis from Wanta Thome, you can connect with them over the phone or online.