Race and nationality discrimination affect workplaces across New York, despite decades of civil rights advancements. In today’s divided social and political climate, some individuals feel increasingly emboldened to express prejudice openly or subtly, creating hostile environments for workers of color and immigrants.
With that being said, it is very important to remember that discrimination based on race or national origin is illegal under both federal and New York law, no matter how normalized such behavior may seem in society and no matter how enforcement of laws designed to protect workers may be impacted by the current administration’s policies.
Discrimination based on race and national origin are unlawful in the workplace
Race discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee unfavorably because of their race or characteristics associated with race, such as hair texture, skin color or facial features. Nationality discrimination, also known as national origin discrimination, involves treating employees differently because they are from a particular country, part of the world or because of their accent or ethnicity. This includes discrimination against immigrants or those perceived as immigrants, regardless of their citizenship status.
These forms of discrimination can unfold in obvious ways, such as racial slurs, derogatory comments and ethnic jokes. They can also manifest in subtle practices, like passing over qualified employees of certain racial or ethnic backgrounds for promotions, assigning them to less favorable shifts or enforcing grooming policies that disproportionately target natural hairstyles worn by Black employees.
Current social tensions and political rhetoric have made some employers and coworkers feel justified in expressing bias against certain groups, particularly immigrants and individuals perceived to be from specific regions of the world. Anti-Asian harassment, Islamophobic remarks and assumptions about Latinx workers’ legal status have increased in many workplaces. Despite these trends, such behavior violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the New York State Human Rights Law.
Workers experiencing race or nationality discrimination may notice patterns of exclusion, isolation or retaliation after reporting bias. They may be assigned heavier workloads, denied overtime or subjected to unfair disciplinary action. These tactics aim to silence complaints and protect employers from accountability.
Therefore, if you believe you have been discriminated against based on race or national origin, and your employer is either not responding appropriately or you’re afraid to report your circumstances at all, it’s time to seek legal guidance. You have rights, and you don’t have to exercise them alone.