It might seem like the dark and shameful age of believing that other skin colors are lesser than the only one that’s truly civilized, is, unfortunately, very much not over and done. The “non-white” population still gets criticized and bullied, just because they don’t look the same or belong to the same privileged group, thus – not worth the same.
And where it might come quite categorical and most outward is a workplace, as a place where one’s abilities and worthiness are constantly looked over and judged. If you notice that your work performance is evaluated based on your race rather than your quality as any other employee, it is time to take some action.
Not Alone
What any human being would do in a situation faced with racism, is to feel less human when downsized to a fact that he/she cannot change. Living in the 21st century, in a modern, advanced society like the one in Tennessee, makes you think and believe that the situation hasn’t occurred and it must’ve been a mistake. And with disbelief, one situation turns into troublesome practice and it starts to affect your everyday wellbeing.
At this point, the plight has taken too long and that’s why it is important to act on the first telltale: speak to your boss, employer, HR service if there’s one, or with your colleagues. If the situation becomes too jammed and cannot be solved through the company’s efforts, you need to know that it’s possible to find a Nashville workplace discrimination attorney who will be able to help you more professionally and heart-to-heart. Its support means not only to prove liability against employees or employers who engage or permit discriminatory practices but to entitle the targeted person with compensation, the restoration of the job, its benefits, or the costs of a new job search.
In such wise, you should know that you’re not alone and that there are individuals and services you can talk to and complain about.
Employer’s Duties
This kind of discrimination at the workplace is happening more often than you would like to believe. Over 70% of ethnic minority workers say they have experienced harassment on racial grounds, while around 60% express unfair treatment by their employer. The crushing percentage becomes even more devastating when known that racial discrimination in the workplace is illegal under Tennessee and federal law.
The employer is especially under the magnifying glass – he/she has a duty to prevent any kind of discrimination by their workers and to respond to claims and evidence that workers are discriminatorily engaged against their co-workers. They directly can be held liable and do pay attention if your employer takes certain actions against such practice:
- Post notices or posters against racial discriminatory behavior in a noticeable place in the workplace.
- Maintain and keep employment and payroll records.
- Adopting anti-discriminatory policy, educating and encouraging all the employees about it.
- Adopting a formal procedure to handle claims of discrimination and handling the accused workers.
If not, if he/she knew about the discrimination and failed to do anything about it, then you may call upon the Tennessee Human Rights Act and the Tennessee Disability Act, as his/her duty is to protect you against any kind of discrimination.
How Noticeable?
Therefore, if you notice some of the racial discriminatory behaviors against individuals or groups based on race, ethnic origin, nationality, or skin color, however obvious it might look (such as who receives a job, promotion, or other employment benefits), have in mind that there are furtively and slyly ways to engage in racial discrimination and be the distressed party.
- Black women with natural hairstyles are seen as less professional than Black women with straightened hair.
- If you believe that you need to work harder, longer, and without any complaints.
- If you notice that someone is paid less than other >white< workers who have the same level of education.
Whatever the cause and the level of it, if you have experienced racial harassment or you’ve been a witness to one, you should always ask offending coworker(s) to stop with such behavior, inform the competent bodies, such as supervisors or the HR department, and if the company doesn’t resolve on its own – seek the attorney’s assistance.
It doesn’t always mean that racial-based jokes and slurry remarks only personate the racism at work – it can be subtle, unintentional comments as a result of the working atmosphere or unconscious bias. You should always act on it and start making a healthy, hostile-free work environment for yourself, and others.
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