Sacramento Racial Discrimination Lawyer

Get Legal Assistance for Your Racial Discrimination Case

Racial discrimination in the workplace is an ongoing issue that many individuals continue to face. If you've experienced discrimination due to your race, ethnicity, or national origin, it's crucial to know that you have legal rights. At Polaris Law Group, our Sacramento racial discrimination attorneys are committed to helping victims of racial bias hold employers accountable and obtain the justice they deserve.

Contact us at (888) 796-4010 for a case consultation if you believe you were discriminated against in Sacramento, CA.

What is Racial Discrimination?

Racial discrimination occurs when an individual is treated unfavorably because of their race, skin color, ethnicity, or national origin. This can take many forms, from overt acts of racism to subtle discriminatory practices that unfairly disadvantage certain racial groups. Under federal and California law, it is illegal for employers to engage in, condone, or ignore racial discrimination in the workplace.

Racial discrimination can take many forms. Some examples of unlawful racial discrimination in the workplace include:

• Failure to hire: An employer refuses to hire a qualified candidate due to their race or national origin.
• Unequal pay: An employee of a particular race is paid less than their colleagues for performing the same job.
• Promotion denial: Employees are passed over for promotions despite being more qualified than other candidates due to racial bias.
• Racial harassment: Employees may be subjected to offensive comments, racial slurs, or derogatory jokes based on their race, creating a hostile work environment.
• Unequal treatment in discipline: Employees of certain racial backgrounds may receive harsher disciplinary actions for similar infractions compared to their colleagues.
• Segregation: Employees may be assigned to specific positions or locations based on their race, isolating them from other workers or clients.
• Retaliation: An employee may face retaliation for reporting or opposing racial discrimination, such as being demoted, fired, or subjected to hostile working conditions.

State & Federal Racial Discrimination Protections

Both state and federal laws offer strong protections against racial discrimination in the workplace. These laws provide victims with the ability to seek legal recourse and hold employers accountable for discriminatory actions.

Federal Laws

The primary federal law that protects employees from racial discrimination is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Under Title VII, it is unlawful for employers to discriminate against employees or job applicants based on race, color, or national origin. This law applies to employers with 15 or more employees and covers all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotions, compensation, and termination.

Another important federal law is the Civil Rights Act of 1866 (Section 1981), which guarantees equal rights under the law and prohibits racial discrimination in making and enforcing contracts. This law applies to all employers, regardless of size, and includes protections for employees, independent contractors, and business relationships.

California Laws

California provides even stronger protections through the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Under FEHA, it is illegal for employers with five or more employees to discriminate based on race, color, or national origin. FEHA also prohibits harassment and retaliation related to racial discrimination claims. The state’s broad definition of harassment includes not only overt actions but also actions that create a hostile work environment.

California’s FEHA goes further than federal law by providing protections to employees of smaller companies and offering more comprehensive remedies, including emotional distress damages and punitive damages.

If your employer has violated these laws, a Sacramento racial discrimination lawyer from Polaris Law Group can help you file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), or pursue legal action in court.

How to Prove Racial Discrimination

Proving racial discrimination can be complex, as direct evidence of discrimination is often rare. However, there are several ways to build a strong case:

• Direct evidence: This can include racist remarks, offensive emails, or explicit statements made by supervisors or colleagues.
• Circumstantial evidence: In many cases, discriminatory intent can be inferred from patterns of behavior, such as a history of not promoting qualified minority employees or evidence of disparate treatment.
• Statistical evidence: Disparities in hiring, pay, or promotions within the company can indicate racial bias.
• Witness testimony: Statements from coworkers who have witnessed discriminatory behavior can strengthen your case.

An experienced Sacramento racial discrimination attorney will work with you to gather and present the necessary evidence to prove your claim and secure the compensation and remedies you deserve.

Please contact our office online or at (888) 796-4010 to learn how we can help.