Race Discrimination

We Protect Workers Against Race Discrimination in Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County  

At the Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C., our Inland Empire race discrimination lawyers are passionate, experienced advocates for justice. Racism has no place in the workplace. If you were treated worse than similarly qualified job-seekers or co-workers because of your race, color, ethnicity, or national origin, you may have a claim under federal and/or state law. Contact us at (888) 883-6588 to set up a free, strictly private initial consultation with a top California employment discrimination attorney. 

What to Know About Federal and State Race Discrimination Laws

No employee should ever be forced to endure racism in the workplace. Unfortunately, racial discrimination remains a serious problem. According to a recent survey published by Gallup, nearly 1 in 4 African American and Hispanic employees nationwide report that they personally endured racism in the workplace in the past year. Workers with higher incomes reported racial discrimination at virtually the same rate as workers with lower incomes. There are federal and state laws in place that bar racial discrimination in employment. Here are the key things that workers in Orange County and Riverside County should know: 

• Federal Law: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law that prohibits racial discrimination. Broadly defined, racial discrimination is unfavorable treatment based, at least in part, on any employee’s race. Title VII applies to all employers with at least 15 full-time and part-time workers. 

• State Law: The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) also bars racial discrimination in the workplace. FEHA is more comprehensive than federal law. The statute applies to all employers in the state with five or more full-time or part-time workers. 

Laws Protect Against Discrimination on Grounds of Color, Ethnicity, and National Origin

Racial discrimination laws protect workers against mistreatment on the basis of many characteristics that are linked to race. Indeed, these laws also protect employees on the grounds of color, ethnic background, and national origin. In some cases, these different types of discrimination can overlap. A worker may be subject to both race discrimination and color discrimination. Alternatively, a worker could face both race discrimination and national origin discrimination. 

What to Know About Race-Based Hostile Work Environment Claims

Both Title VII and FEHA protect workers against race-based discrimination that comes in the form of a hostile work environment. An employee who is subject to race-based harassment in the workplace may have a hostile work environment claim. Conduct that could constitute a hostile work environment includes: 

• The use of racial slurs 
• Offensive racial joking
• Bullying based on race
• Other unwelcome race-based behavior

Hostile work environment claims are complicated. An employee who brings such a claim must prove that he or she was subject to racial harassment that was so severe or so pervasive that it would have made an ordinary worker feel so uncomfortable or so unwelcome that they would have been unable to reasonably do their job. 

Some Examples of Race Discrimination in the Workplace

Race discrimination claims are complicated. Discriminatory practices can take a wide range of different forms. In some cases, race discrimination is blatant. In other cases, it is far more subtle. Some examples of conduct that could constitute workplace race discrimination include: 

• Refusal to Hire or Promote: An employer may violate the rights of job applicants by refusing to hire them due to their race. Similarly, an employee’s rights may be violated if their race is a factor causing them to be denied a promotion. 

• Lower Pay: A pay disparity could be a form of racial discrimination. Race cannot be used as a factor—either openly or implicitly—in determining the pay and benefits of employees. 

• Heightened Scrutiny: Too many workers are forced to deal with a double standard because of their race. Subjecting certain employees to heightened scrutiny because of their race can count as racial discrimination. 

• A Hostile Work Environment: A work environment is unlawfully hostile if an employee is forced to deal with severe or pervasive mistreatment based on their race or racial background. 

You Have the Right to Report Race Discrimination 

Many employees are concerned that they will be punished, harassed, or otherwise mistreated if they report or complain about racial discrimination. It is important to emphasize that you have the right to report discrimination—both informally within your company and formally through a legal complaint—without facing any retribution from your employer. 

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) explains that employers are prohibited from retaliating against workers engaged in a protected activity. Reporting race discrimination is a protected activity under Title VII and under FEHA. If you faced any adverse action for reporting race-based discrimination, you should contact a California retaliation lawyer right away. 

How Inland Empire Race Discrimination Lawyer Joseph E. Richards Helps Clients

Racism is unacceptable. It has long been a stain on our society. Sadly, it remains a problem in workplaces throughout the region. If you were a victim of race-based discrimination on the job, it can cause serious emotional, personal, professional, and financial harm. Our founding lawyer Joseph E. Richards is committed to helping employees get justice. We provide proactive legal support. More specifically, our Orange County & Riverside County race discrimination lawyers will: 

• Listen to your story and answer questions during a free initial consultation.
• Carefully investigate our client’s case—gathering the evidence needed to proceed.
• Build a customized legal strategy with the goal of getting our client justice and the best results. 

Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Inland Empire Race Discrimination Attorney Today

At the Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C., our experienced California race discrimination lawyers fight aggressively to help workers get justice. Racism does not belong anywhere near the workplace. All employees deserve fair treatment. 

If your rights were violated, and you were the victim of race discrimination in the workplace professional help is available. To set up a free consultation, please call us today at (888) 883-6588.

The attorneys at the Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C. handle race discrimination in employment claims in Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County.