Race Discrimination Cases PROTECTING THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES Get a Free Consultation

Washington, D.C. Race Discrimination Attorney

Fighting for Victims of Racial Discrimination in Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland

Racial discrimination is unfortunately still a rampant problem in many American workplaces. Federal and state law forbids employers from discriminating against workers because of their race, color, or national origin. These protections apply in the workplace and during the hiring process.

If you have been subject to racial discrimination, you deserve an advocate who can help you recover just compensation. Our Washington, D.C. race discrimination lawyer has over 15 years of experience and recovered over $1 million for our clients. Our team at Pitre & Associates, LLC maintains the highest standards of professionalism and is committed to providing an unmatched level of personal service. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we will leverage the full extent of our resources when fighting for you.

We offer free initial consultations, so call (202) 759-6544 or contact us online today. Se habla español.

Racial Discrimination during the Hiring Process

A hiring manager should only ask questions about your qualifications and your ability to do the job you are seeking. Your race, color, or national origin should never play a role in whether you are hired. Some hiring managers will still ask blatantly inappropriate questions during job interviews that may betray a racial bias.

You may be the victim of racial discrimination if a hiring manager asks any of these questions:

  • Where are you from?
  • Where were you born?
  • When did you come to the United States?
  • Where were your parents born?
  • Where is your accent from?
  • Have you ever been arrested?

You should also look out for inappropriate comments about your hair, clothing, or any other element that is related to your race or culture. A hiring manager should also never comment on your ability to speak English or say you are “well-spoken.” 

Keep in mind that there are certain questions a hiring manager can ask. For example, if English proficiency is a requirement of the job, they can ask about your reading, writing, and speaking skills. While a hiring manager should not dig into your immigration history, they can ask if you can prove you have a right to work in the United States if an offer of employment is made.

Unless the offense is extremely flagrant, proving racial discrimination during a hiring process can be difficult, and it may not always be obvious whether you have a case. Our Washington, D.C. race discrimination attorney can review your circumstances, advise whether you have a claim, and help you explore your options.

Racial Discrimination in the Workplace

An employer cannot treat you adversely because of your race, national origin, or color. This means you cannot be fired, denied a promotion, excluded from company opportunities, or otherwise treated unfavorably due to your race. 

You may be a victim of workplace racial discrimination if:

  • Employees of a particular race are more regularly given raises or advancement opportunities despite having lower qualifications, seniority, and performance
  • Employees of a particular race appear to receive preferential treatment from managers when compared to employees of other races
  • Employees of a particular race appear to be targeted in layoffs
  • Employees of a certain race are regularly excluded from company-sponsored events
  • Your boss gives you unjustifiably poor performance reviews, and you notice your boss does not give arbitrarily negative reviews to employees of other races

You should also never have to deal with a hostile work environment, which might develop if your boss or other employees start to treat you in ways that make it harder for you to do your job. You may be experiencing a hostile work environment if your peers or manager make frequent references to or comments about your race. 

Your employer has a legal obligation to take steps to prevent hostile work environments from developing and quickly resolve hostile work environments that do emerge. In other words, if you report the existence of a hostile work environment to your boss or HR department, and no action is taken, your employer has likely discriminated against you. 

Keep in mind that your employer cannot legally fire you for reporting racial discrimination of any kind. Taking adverse action against an employee who reports misconduct is considered “retaliation,” and you may have a separate legal claim if you are punished for speaking out.

Experienced Racial Discrimination? Call Today.

Racial discrimination is unacceptable in all its forms, and our team at Pitre & Associates, LLC can help you hold your employer accountable. In many cases, you can file a claim with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or your territory’s equivalent enforcement agency. A claim can help you recover compensation for many types of damages, and, if you were fired on racial grounds, you may even be able to secure reinstatement. After reviewing the details of your situation, our Washington, D.C. race discrimination lawyer will recommend the most advantageous course of action and assist you throughout the process. 

You only have a limited amount of time to file a racial discrimination claim, so do not wait to call (202) 759-6544 or contact us online. Flexible payment options are available.

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PROTECTING THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

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