You may not realize it, but workplace discrimination occurs all the time. Despite state and federal laws extending anti-discrimination protections to workers, employers treat members of protected classes unfairly, subject them to adverse employment decisions, and retaliate against them when discriminatory practices are reported.
Yet, all too often those who are subjected to discrimination fail to take action to find accountability and recover compensation for the harm that’s been caused to them. These individuals may think that the behavior targeted towards them doesn’t rise to the level of discrimination, or they may think that taking action will do nothing to protect them and will in fact put them at greater risk of being punished.
But you can’t let your employer get away with discriminatory practices. After all, there’s a wide range of harm that can be caused by workplace discrimination. Let’s take a closer look so that you have a full understanding of what’s at stake if you let your employer off the hook.
The true impact of workplace discrimination
Workplace discrimination can take a tremendous toll on a victim. This includes the following:
- Financial loss: This almost goes without saying, but workers who are discriminated against in the workplace oftentimes lose income. They can be passed over for a promotion that would’ve come with a raise, they may be given reduced hours, they can be demoted, and they can be terminated from their job. All of these can lead to significant financial issues. Victims of workplace discrimination might also have to expend funds to secure additional training or education to make themselves marketable enough to secure new employment if the discrimination led to their termination.
- Reputational harm: Discrimination can also harm your reputation and thus your career. As a result, it might be harder for you to advance in your career or secure a job with a different employer all because of misconceptions about you created by workplace discrimination.
- Health issues: Workplace discrimination can create a lot of stress that you have to live with on a daily basis. This overwhelming stress can result in several health issues, including sleep and concentration issues, the onset of mental health conditions, and even heart problems. This can jeopardize your quality and length of life, and it may cause you to incur significant medical expenses.
What can you do to stop workplace discrimination?
Your first step is to report it to your employer. Make sure you track all communications and put everything in writing. Before doing so, though, gather sufficient evidence to make it clear that discrimination is in fact occurring. That way your employer has no justification for finding that discrimination didn’t occur.
If your employer fails to correct the discriminating behavior, then it may be time to take legal action. If successful in workplace discrimination lawsuit, you might be able to recover compensation for the economic and noneconomic harm caused to you, and you can acquire a sense of justice.
Also, if you were terminated from your position due to workplace discrimination, then you may be able to successfully request reinstatement to it.
Just remember that these workplace discrimination cases are oftentimes hard-fought, with employers claiming that adverse employment action was taken due to poor performance or absenteeism.
Therefore, before taking legal action, scrutinize the facts of your circumstances and identify any weaknesses where your employer might attack your claim. By doing so, you’ll hopefully craft a comprehensive legal strategy that sets you on course to secure an outcome that is fair and just.