What Are Possible Signs You Are Facing Discrimination at Work?

There are several warning signs workers may experience when they are facing discrimination at work. Recognizing these signs is important, because it can give workers time to start gathering evidence that can be useful for pursuing legal options.

5 Possible Warning Signs You Are Experiencing Discrimination at Work

Discrimination may be illegal under federal or California when it targets workers for race, gender, disability, pregnancy status, age or marital status (just to name a few examples). The following five examples can be possible warning signs of workplace discrimination.

1. Alienation: Workers of a protected class may face alienation from others. These workers can face exclusion socially or professionally. For example, they may be denied the chance to participate in group work projects despite having the qualifications.
2. Denied promotions: Qualified workers may not receive promotions or desirable job assignments. Less qualified candidates may receive the promotions instead.
3. Harassment: Workers may experience name-calling, threats or slurs. Harassment may occur over an extended period of time.
4. Lack of diverse roles or diversity: Protected groups may be assigned to undiversified roles at the office. For example, the women in the office are all secretaries and the men are all executives. In some cases, protected groups may be entirely absent from the workplace.
5. Wrongful termination: Management may terminate employees for discriminatory reasons. This can be subtle or apparent. For example, an employer may explain they are firing a worker for taking family leave, or for being pregnant. Other times, they may not disclose the reason, but the evidence is circumstantial. A worker may face job termination immediately after requesting leave or becoming pregnant.

Discrimination in the workplace can have devastating effects on the careers of affected workers. Depending on the circumstances, there may be legal options to pursue damages for illegal discrimination.

The Los Angeles employment law attorneys at Kesluk, Silverstein, Jacob & Morrison, P.C. can help workers explore legal options to hold their employers accountable for discrimination.