How to Protect Yourself from Workplace Discrimination
Workplace discrimination can take many different forms. While speaking with an employment discrimination attorney is crucial for ending the mistreatment and harassment you’ve faced, it’s just one way to protect yourself.
Attorney Dan A. Atkerson feels that workers in Allen, Plano, and Frisco, TX should know their rights. As a worker, you should also know how to defend yourself against employment discrimination. Below are four ways you can be ready for a workplace discrimination claim. This is helpful for new hires, job hopefuls, and people who’ve been at their company for years.
Know the Laws About Workplace Discrimination
First things first, you need to know the laws regarding workplace discrimination to determine if that’s what happened. Broadly, this means that you cannot be harassed or mistreated due to your race, skin color, religion beliefs, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, or age.
Work discrimination can take numerous forms. Some examples include:
- Being fired due to who you are
- Not being hired because of your identity
- Not getting a promotion or raise based on your identity
- Not receiving equal pay or treatment
- Being targeted for insults or gossip
- Not having access to benefits
- Experiencing a toxic work environment
The above list is by no means exhaustive, but it should help you understand your rights and legal protections. More information can be found through the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Keep Records About What Transpired
If you’re being discriminated against at work, be sure to note what happened. Jot down memos of the incident and subsequent incidents so it can be referenced directly. Note the who, what, when, where, why, and how whenever possible. Also be sure to save emails, voice messages, and take photo or video evidence of what happened.
This documentation will be crucial for the next two steps. Even if you do not take your case all the way to court, it’s just a smart move to create a paper trail of offenses.
Report Your Concerns to HR and/or Supervisors
Be sure to take your concerns to your supervisor, boss, or company’s HR department. This creates a formal complaint of what happened, and makes the incidents known to people who may be able to do something about it. If your company looks after its employees, it will usually take action to help put a stop to this discriminatory behavior.
Not all scenarios are ideal, however. Some people have faced discrimination at work, reported the incident to the proper channels, and still nothing is done. If your legitimate concerns about employment discrimination cannot be addressed, move on to the next step.
Speak with an Attorney About What Happened
A workplace law attorney can go over all of the evidence you have regarding employment discrimination. They can help construct a timeline of events, including what transpired, when official complaints were lodged, and the aftermath of those actions.
If you have a case worth pursuing, your attorney can then help you file formal complaints with federal and state agencies that handle workplace discrimination claims. This will help you hold your company and the responsible parties accountable for their discriminatory actions and subsequent inaction or failure to act.
Learn More About Workplace Discrimination Cases
If you would like to learn more about legal options following instances of harassment or discrimination at your workplace, be sure to contact a skilled employment law attorney. You can reach our law offices in Allen, Plano, and Frisco by calling (214) 438-4436.