Wisconsin Race and Color Discrimination Attorneys

What Is Race Discrimination?

Race discrimination occurs when an applicant or employee is treated differently or unfavorably because he or she is of a certain race or because of any personal characteristics associated with that race, such as hair texture, skin color, or certain facial features. Multiracial is also a possible basis for race discrimination.

Color discrimination occurs when an applicant or employee is treated differently or unfavorably because of his or her skin color complexion.

The discrimination can include hiring, firing, promotions, job assignments, layoffs, training, fringe benefits, pay, and any other term or condition of employment, as well as offensive or derogatory comments, racial slurs, or comments relating to stereotypes and assumptions about the abilities, traits, or the performance of individuals of certain racial groups.

Race and color discrimination also occurs when an applicant or employee is treated differently or unfavorably because he or she is married to, or associated with, a person of a certain race or color or because of his or her connection with a race-based organization or group, or an organization or group that is generally associated with people of a certain color.

Race and color discrimination can occur when the victim and the offending person are the same race or color.

Individuals of all races and colors are protected from race and color discrimination, respectively, not just those individuals who are members of a racial minority.

Race and Color Discrimination – Illegal Employment Policies

An employment policy or practice that applies to everyone, regardless of race or color, could be unlawful if it has a negative impact on the employment of people of a particular race or color and is not job-related and necessary to the operation of the business.

Racial and Color Harassment

Applicants and employees are protected from harassment on the basis of their race or color under the law.

Racial and color harassment occurs when offensive or derogatory comments, racial slurs, or the display of racially-offensive symbols are made in the workplace because of a person’s race or color. Racial and color harassment is unlawful when it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive work environment or when it results in an adverse employment decision (such as the employee being fired or demoted). The harasser can be the employee’s supervisor, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker, or someone who is not an employee of the employer, such as a client or customer.