Nobody should have to endure discrimination anywhere they go, but especially not at their place of work. While a lot of progress has been made in this area, there are still many instances where an individual or a group of people face some sort of workplace discrimination based on factors like their gender, race, religion, and more. Whether this discrimination comes from management, or other employees, it should be taken seriously and steps need to be taken to stop it.
If you believe you have been the victim of discrimination in the workplace—whether explicit in the form of comments and actions, or implicit in the form of unequal treatment or pay—it can be hard to know what to do. Taking the right actions at the right time is essential for not only putting an end to this type of activity, but also moving forward with any legal actions that may become necessary in the future.
Document Everything
The first thing you need to do is make sure you are keeping accurate documentation of everything that is going on. Each case is unique, but just remember that you can’t have too much information. Even if it isn’t all important in the end, it is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Some key things to keep in this scenario are:
- Evidence of the Discrimination – Whether it is pictures left at your desk, emails received, or any other physical evidence, keep them (or copies of them) as evidence of the discrimination. Make sure to identify the dates, times, and anyone involved with each piece of evidence.
- Reporting – When you report an instance to HR or management, write it down. If possible, get an official report that identifies the complaint that was made.
- Interactions – It may not always be best to confront the individual or individuals who are doing the discrimination, but if this occurs, make sure to document what was said and when as soon as possible.
Report to the Company
Most companies today have an anti-discrimination policy in place. If you feel that either the policy, or any relevant local, state, or federal laws have been violated, make sure you report this to the proper people within the company. Larger companies will typically have a human resources department. If that department is not available, reporting it to your immediate supervisor is a good first step. If it is the management team that is engaging in discrimination, try to determine who the right person to report this to would be.
Retain an Attorney
If the discrimination is ongoing, or it involves the management or owners of the company, it will be necessary to retain an attorney. A good attorney with experience in employment law can take steps to put an end to the discrimination, and may even be able to bring a lawsuit against the company to help you gain restitution.
If you have been discriminated against in the workplace, or you suspect you have been, contact the law firm of Carla D. Aikens, P.C. right away. We can schedule a consultation with you to go over your situation and help determine the best course of action to achieve a favorable resolution in your case.
Carla D. Aikens, P.L.C.
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