National Origin Discrimination

National origin discrimination involves treating people (applicants or employees) unfavorably because they are from a particular country or part of the world, because of ethnicity or accent, or because they appear to be of a certain ethnic background (even if they are not).

National origin discrimination also can involve treating people unfavorably because they are married to (or associated with) a person of a certain national origin because of their connection with an ethnic organization or group.

Discrimination can occur when the victim and the person who inflicted the discrimination are of the same national origin.

Types of National Origin Discrimination in the Workplace

Everyone should be able to go into the workplace and not worry about facing discrimination based on where they were born. Unfortunately, however, it can still occur in some work environments. Here are the types of national origin discrimination that can happen:

• Discrimination Based on Citizenship: It is prohibited by law for companies to hire or fire people based on their citizenship or immigration status. Employers are legally prohibited to only hire candidates who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

• Harassment: Getting harassed at work for your natural origin is not something you should ever have to endure. It can make it very uncomfortable to go into the workplace every day. If your supervisor or coworkers are making derogatory comments about your national origin or accent, it can create a very hostile working environment. 

• Language Requirements: Employers are only permitted to create an English-only rule if it is necessary for the job. Language requirements are typically not permitted for lunch and break periods. Employers also can’t refuse to hire an applicant based on accent alone.

What to Do If You Are Being Discriminated Against for Your National Origin

If you believe you are being treated unfairly at work for your national origin, you do not have to stand for that type of treatment. You deserve to be treated with respect at work. Here are the steps you should take:

• File a Complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): Before you can file a lawsuit, you must submit a complaint with the EEOC. They will look into your claim and determine if you have a valid reason to seek legal action. If they approve your claim, you will have the chance to file a lawsuit within 90 days.

• File a Discrimination Lawsuit: If you want to pursue a discrimination lawsuit, you should speak to an experienced employment lawyer promptly. A discrimination lawsuit can involve a lt of complexities, and you do not want to handle it on your own. A skilled lawyer can help you fill out the paperwork accurately and guide you through the entire process. With a lawyer on your side, you are much more likely to obtain favorable results in the end.

If you are the victim of this type of discrimination, you should schedule a consultation with a reputable national origin discrimination lawyer in TX or NM at Davie & Valdez, P.C. as soon as possible.