Atlanta Race & Color Discrimination Attorneys
Tough representation when Georgia employers discriminate or harass based on race
Unfortunately, racism is still alive and well in our society. The news regularly reports stories of deeply offense images and comments, nooses on factory floors, and crude racist jokes being circulated through company email systems. Fortunately, Title VII of the US Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against their employees because of their race or color. Discrimination also includes harassment based on race or color that creates a hostile work environment. Employers may not take your race or skin color, or your perceived race or skin color, into consideration in making employment decisions.
If you have been a victim of racial discrimination or harassment at work, then don't wait to discuss the issue with our Atlanta race discrimination lawyers at Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP. Our Atlanta race discrimination lawyers will explain your rights and take prompt action on your behalf. Prompt action means filing a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC). If your case cannot be resolved by the EEOC, you can file a civil lawsuit seeking compensation for your financial damages, your emotional damages, and orders to stop and address employment discrimination.
This was my first time having to seek legal counsel on an employment issue so I was a bit nervous about the process. I was referred to Ed Buckley by a friend I respect and trust, and one that has over 20 years of experience in law. Mr. Buckley made the process much less intimidating for me. Many thanks to Mr. Buckley and team for helping me. I'd definitely hire them again. – Google review
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How can we help?
- What employer conduct is considered discriminatory in Atlanta?
- What federal law protects employees from discrimination based on race or color?
- What agencies and courts hear racial discrimination complaints in Atlanta?
- What damages can I seek for racial discrimination in Atlanta?
- Do you have a race discrimination lawyer near me?
What employer conduct is considered discriminatory in Atlanta?
Sometimes race and color discrimination are patently obvious, often in the most horrible ways. Other times, sophisticated employers engage in race discrimination through subtle practices that tend to screen out minority applicants and employees.
Employers commonly discriminate against workers by using:
- Job and intelligence tests
- Appearance and dress codes
- English-only rules
- Relying on arrest records in making employment decisions
- Discriminatory recruiting practices
Racial discrimination also includes terminating your job, denying a promotion, reducing your pay, failure to make educational or training opportunities available, not allowing you to speak with certain clients, and other adverse employment conduct because of your race or color.
Sometimes, race or color discrimination may not involve official company practices, but rather involve harassment, such as the use of derogatory racial jokes by co-employees or supervisors. Whether it is official company policy or harassment by co-workers or managers, you should not be subjected to adverse action, including harassment, because of your race or color.
Harassment can include racial slurs, offensive or derogatory remarks about a person's race or color, or the showing of racially offensive symbols. Generally, the harassment must be pervasive or severe enough to alter the terms and conditions of employment. The harassment can be by a supervisor, a co-worker, a client, a customer, or other people in the work environment.
What federal law protects employees from discrimination based on race or color?
Title VII protects individuals of all races and colors, not simply racial minorities. No matter your race or color, the rule is the same – you may not be discriminated against in the workplace based upon your protected characteristics.
The EEOC states that discrimination due to race:
Involves treating someone (an applicant or employee) unfavorably because he/she is of a certain race or because of personal characteristics associated with race (such as hair texture, skin color, or certain facial features).
Color discrimination involves treating someone unfavorably because of skin color complexion.
Race and color discrimination also involve adverse employment treatment if you marry or are associated with a person of a specific race or color. Discrimination can happen even if the victim and the employer are of the same race or color.
Title VII also prohibits your employer from retaliating against you for complaining about race discrimination or participating in someone else's race discrimination case.
What agencies and courts hear racial discrimination complaints in Atlanta?
If you or someone you know has been the victim of race or color discrimination, you need to take immediate action, as the time limit for filing a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is very short – 180 days from the last date of discrimination. We represent Georgia employees in every step of the EEOC’s investigative process.
What damages can I seek for race or color discrimination in Atlanta?
The damages you can claim are based on Title VII. These damages include:
- Job reinstatement
- Back pay. This includes the wages you lost because you were terminated from your job. It also includes lost economic benefits of employment such as health insurance, retirement benefits, stock options, vacation pay, and sick pay.
- Front pay. This is compensation for future earnings and economic benefits of employment in lieu of reinstatement to your job.
- Attorney fees and expenses
- Punitive damages if the discrimination was intentional – punitive damages are meant to punish the employer for the wrongful conduct
- Compensatory damages for emotional suffering and mental anguish
Additionally, your employer may be ordered to stop any further discrimination and create written policies to ensure any future discrimination based on race or color does not occur.
Our Atlanta race and color discrimination attorneys work with experts who help show the full extent of your damages. We’ll argue your case before a jury of your peers.
Do you have a race and color discrimination lawyer near me?
Our Atlanta race and color discrimination lawyers meet clients in Atlanta at 600 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 3900. We conduct phone and video consultations by appointment for clients in Atlanta who can’t travel to Atlanta. We proudly serve clients throughout Georgia, including in Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, and Savannah.
Racial and color discrimination should have been illegal from our country’s start. It is certainly illegal now. Assert your right to hold your employer accountable as soon as you suspect racial or color discrimination.
Get help today. Contact our Atlanta race and color discrimination attorneys now
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP has been a strong advocate for all victims of discrimination for 30 years. We have earned praise from former clients and employment lawyers for our representation of employees who suffer discrimination due to their race, color, national origin, disability, age, religion, sex, sexual identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and other protected characteristics.
Employers know our Atlanta race and color discrimination attorneys will fight to the Supreme Court if necessary to assert your right to dignity and fair treatment. To speak with our experienced employment rights lawyers, schedule a consultation by calling us or completing our contact form today.