FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Native American workers who experience racial discrimination in the workplace have steps they can take to hold their employer accountable, according to Employment Law Help, an independent organization which provides information on employee rights.
“You have a legal right to work without being harassed or discriminated against,” said Outreach Specialist Cendy Moliere. “If your employer is discriminating against you or tolerating discrimination or bullying against you, you can file a complaint against your employer with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.”
Title IV of the Federal Civil Rights Act says that employers cannot discriminate against employees because of their race, sex, place of birth or religion.
“Your employer is breaking a federal law by discriminating against you or allowing you be discriminated against in the workplace,” Moliere said.
The EEOC operates in every state and employees can file a complaint with the EEOC no matter what state they live or work in.
There are 44 states where the EEOC has a work share agreement. If an employee is in one of those states, the state will receive copies of all of the documents submitted and the state will investigate the employer also.
What are examples of racial discrimination that Native Americans face?
Being passed over for raises or promotions
If you are not getting regular raises but other employees are that’s discrimination. And if your coworkers are given the chance to be promoted, but you have never been given the opportunity for a promotion that could be discrimination.
Scheduling preference
Hourly workers who are subjected to last minute schedule changes, switched shifts, or having their hours cut are being discriminated against. Weaponizing your schedule is discrimination.
Racial slurs, offensive imagery, or racially charged language
If you are being bullied or harassed at work that’s discrimination. If your coworkers use racial slurs or talk in demeaning or prejudiced ways about Native Americans, that’s discrimination. If you are being targeted for bullying because you are Native American, that’s discrimination.
Paying some employees less than others
All of the employees at your workplace who are doing the same job should be paid the same salary. If you’re being paid less than other employees, that’s discrimination.
Next steps to take
Documenting what is going on is very important. Your bosses may not be aware of the discrimination that is happening to you.
Create a list of all the incidents of discrimination that you have experienced that includes the date and time of the event, who was involved, and what happened.
Also make copies of any evidence of the discrimination that you have like emails, screen shots of chats, or photos and videos of the things you’ve experienced.
Take copies of everything to your boss and explain what’s going on.
“Your boss should be horrified and want to help you,” Moliere said. “If your boss dismisses your concerns or won’t help you, then just go to the EEOC’s website and file a complaint.”
In Arizona, you can file a discrimination complaint with the Arizona Department of Economic Security. When you file a discrimination complaint on the state level in Arizona, it will be dually filed with the EEOC, that way you don’t have to file two complaints.
Remedies for racial discrimination
“If your employer is found to be engaging in or allowing discrimination you could be entitled to damages,” Moliere said. “You could be promoted. Or you could receive lump sums of money for lost wages and for pain and suffering.”
More information on Employment Law Help can be found at www.employmentlawhelp.org/ and more information about resources about employee rights can be found at the following links: www.eeoc.gov/; www.employmentlawhelp.org/discrimination/evidence-racial-discrimination; des.az.gov/how-do-i/file-discrimination-complaint and www.employmentlawhelp.org/discrimination/remedies-racial-discrimination
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Native American workers who experience racial discrimination in the workplace have steps they can take to hold their employer accountable, according to Employment Law Help, an independent organization which provides information on employee rights.
“You have a legal right to work without being harassed or discriminated against,” said Outreach Specialist Cendy Moliere. “If your employer is discriminating against you or tolerating discrimination or bullying against you, you can file a complaint against your employer with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.”
Title IV of the Federal Civil Rights Act says that employers cannot discriminate against employees because of their race, sex, place of birth or religion.
“Your employer is breaking a federal law by discriminating against you or allowing you be discriminated against in the workplace,” Moliere said.
The EEOC operates in every state and employees can file a complaint with the EEOC no matter what state they live or work in.
There are 44 states where the EEOC has a work share agreement. If an employee is in one of those states, the state will receive copies of all of the documents submitted and the state will investigate the employer also.
What are examples of racial discrimination that Native Americans face?
Being passed over for raises or promotions
If you are not getting regular raises but other employees are that’s discrimination. And if your coworkers are given the chance to be promoted, but you have never been given the opportunity for a promotion that could be discrimination.
Scheduling preference
Hourly workers who are subjected to last minute schedule changes, switched shifts, or having their hours cut are being discriminated against. Weaponizing your schedule is discrimination.
Racial slurs, offensive imagery, or racially charged language
If you are being bullied or harassed at work that’s discrimination. If your coworkers use racial slurs or talk in demeaning or prejudiced ways about Native Americans, that’s discrimination. If you are being targeted for bullying because you are Native American, that’s discrimination.
Paying some employees less than others
All of the employees at your workplace who are doing the same job should be paid the same salary. If you’re being paid less than other employees, that’s discrimination.
Next steps to take
Documenting what is going on is very important. Your bosses may not be aware of the discrimination that is happening to you.
Create a list of all the incidents of discrimination that you have experienced that includes the date and time of the event, who was involved, and what happened.
Also make copies of any evidence of the discrimination that you have like emails, screen shots of chats, or photos and videos of the things you’ve experienced.
Take copies of everything to your boss and explain what’s going on.
“Your boss should be horrified and want to help you,” Moliere said. “If your boss dismisses your concerns or won’t help you, then just go to the EEOC’s website and file a complaint.”
In Arizona, you can file a discrimination complaint with the Arizona Department of Economic Security. When you file a discrimination complaint on the state level in Arizona, it will be dually filed with the EEOC, that way you don’t have to file two complaints.
Remedies for racial discrimination
“If your employer is found to be engaging in or allowing discrimination you could be entitled to damages,” Moliere said. “You could be promoted. Or you could receive lump sums of money for lost wages and for pain and suffering.”
More information on Employment Law Help can be found at www.employmentlawhelp.org/ and more information about resources about employee rights can be found at the following links: www.eeoc.gov/; www.employmentlawhelp.org/discrimination/evidence-racial-discrimination; des.az.gov/how-do-i/file-discrimination-complaint and www.employmentlawhelp.org/discrimination/remedies-racial-discrimination