Employees who have experience unfair or unreasonable treatment at work are often afraid to speak out about their concerns. If you feel targeted or believe you were the recipient of any type of discriminatory treatment, you may feel intimidated, and you may even fear that speaking out could compromise your job security. Like many other victims of illegal treatment in their California workplaces, you may not even be certain that what you are experiencing actually counts as discrimination.
You may benefit from an explanation of what the law considers discrimination in the workplace. This can help you understand how you can protect your rights and interests if you find yourself in this difficult position. If you are a victim of any type of discrimination, you could have grounds to move forward with a civil claim against your employer.
Signs of discriminatory treatment
Discrimination comes in many different forms, and you may not be certain that what you are experiencing is truly discrimination or if it is simply unfortunate and annoying behavior. The following are common signs that an employee is experiencing discrimination from his or her employer, co-workers or third parties:
- Communication you are receiving is demeaning, including unnecessarily harsh tones, offensive jokes and comments made about you.
- You were asked inappropriate or suspicious questions during the interview process regarding race, pregnancy, religion, ethnicity and more.
- You are not earning as much as others in your place of work who are in the same role and doing the same work as you.
- You were subject to unreasonable or unfair disciplinary action after a mistake or perceived error.
- Others received promotions over you, even if you had more experience and better qualifications than the recipients.
- Your employers and co-workers make references to your age, imply you are less capable than younger employer or suggest that you retire.
These are only a few signs of discrimination in the workplace. This type of unfair treatment can be on the basis of gender, race, religion, sexual preferences and more. While it can be intimidating to bring this type of behavior to light, you do not have to remain silent about workplace discrimination. You have the right to fight for justice and to seek to hold responsible parties accountable through a civil claim. The civil justice system provides you the opportunity to seek recourse and compensation.
