Recognizing the Signs of Gender and Race Discrimination

Workplace discrimination takes a variety of forms. Discrimination results in a worker or job applicant being treated differently or less favorably due to that individual’s age, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected status. Unfortunately, workers sometimes encounter discrimination at work due to both their race and/or gender. While the COVID-19 pandemic led to many undesirable consequences, it also resulted in an increase in workplace discrimination due to race and gender in the United States. One report released by the National Women’s Law Center even found that over 40 years, Black women who begin their careers today are at risk of losing almost $1 million throughout their lives.

Research reveals that race and gender adversely impact women of color in various occupations and in countless ways. For workplace gender and race discrimination to be unlawful, it must involve treatment that negatively impacts the terms of a person’s conditions of employment. Some of the most common types of discrimination that occur while on the job involve dress code, payment, work hours, or career opportunities.

Common Signs of Discrimination

If you are a woman of color or part of another protected class, it helps to learn some of the most common examples of workplace treatment that might represent gender or race-based discrimination. Some of these signs include:

• Being denied a promotion or job opportunity that is given to a colleague of a different gender or race
• Being given fewer work assignments than an individual of a different race or gender
• Being held to a higher standard or evaluated more critically than other candidates
• Being insulted or called names due to your race or gender
• Being negatively disciplined or evaluated for something of which workers of another gender or race are not disciplined
• Being offered a lower-paid position
• Being paid less than an individual of a different race or gender who is similarly qualified
• Hearing hostile remarks about people of a certain race or gender
• Not being hired even though you are qualified for a position

What to Do if You Encounter Workplace Discrimination

If you believe that you are subject to workplace discrimination, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced employment attorney who can review your situation and help you determine the best way to proceed. Some of the other steps to consider if you end up in such a situation include:

• Make an internal complaint in accordance with your company’s procedures. If your company has a formal policy, make sure to follow it.
• If you face any retaliation for filing a complaint, you should make sure to promptly inform the employer.
• Record any discriminatory or harassing events that occur. Make sure to create a timeline about what happened and what occurred as well as who was involved.

Contact a Discrimination Attorney Today

If you have been subject to discrimination, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced lawyer. Contact Cohen & Jaffe LLP today to schedule a free case evaluation.

For a free legal consultation, call 516-358-6900