National Origin Discrimination

Have improper comments been made because of your ancestry at your workplace? Do you feel like your employer does not have the same confidence in your skills merely because of your national origin? Have you been a victim of stereotypes? If so, you might have been discriminated against because of your national origin. As such, you need attorneys with the passion and expertise to represent you in righting this wrong.

Houston employment lawyers Kalandra N. Wheeler and Robert J. Wiley represent Houston workers who have been discriminated against because of their national origin. They have the experience to make sure that every avenue is pursued and no stone is left unturned. In short, when you have been discriminated against because of your national origin you need an attorney that understands your situation and that will fight for you.

Under both Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Texas Labor Code discriminating against an employee because of their national origin is illegal regardless of citizenship status. An employer cannot fire, demote, or affect an employee’s benefits because of their national origin.

Many times it may be difficult to determine if you have been discriminated against because of your national origin. Common examples that may be indicative of your employer discriminating on the basis of national origin are:

• The use of derogatory remarks regarding an employee’s national origin;
• Poking fun of a person’s accent;
• Usage of stereotypes regarding one’s national origin;
• Implementation of an “English Only” rule at work that is not meant to ensure the safe and efficient operation of an employer’s business; and
• Only allowing people of certain national origins in certain positions.

These are only a few examples of what may constitute discrimination because of your national origin. As such you must be vigilant to make sure that your rights are not being violated.

Additionally, often times the law requires an adverse employment action to occur before a claim is actionable. As such, only certain employment actions are usually considered actionable in the context of discrimination on the basis of national origin. Common examples of adverse employment actions are:

• Failure to be promoted;
• Failure to be hired;
• Being suspended;
• Not being given the same benefits as employees of other national origins; and
• Being terminated.

Discrimination must not necessarily be intentional, but the discrimination can take the place of company policies that deprive workers of meaningful opportunities indirectly. For example, having a policy that states you must not have an accent in order to work as a cashier at a store may be a violation of the law based on national origin.

You have worked too hard to be illegally discriminated against just because of where you were born. Too often erroneous stereotypes are formed based on an individual's national origin. Employers may use a person's national origin as the basis for claiming that an employee is unable to perform at a certain level or handle certain situations and is therefore not fit for a certain position. You do not have to sit idly by and let employers violate your rights. You must take action to protect your rights and to make sure that your employer follows the law.

The only way to defend not only your rights as a hard working employee but those of others is to step forward. We can only do our job if workers fight unfair employment practices. It can be difficult to take a stand, and that is why you need a team of professionals that will be with you every step of the way.

Take Action

If you feel you have been discriminated against merely because of your national origin, do not hesitate to contact our law firm. There are many deadlines that require a quick turnaround. Depending on your case you have anywhere from 180 days to 300 days to report a violation of the Texas Labor Code and Title VII to the TWC or EEOC. If you choose to contact us, you generally will meet with an attorney to discuss your matter. If we believe a violation of the law has occurred and if you decide to hire us, we will sign a representation agreement and work to enforce your rights.

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