It would be great if we lived in a world free of racism, sexism and other prejudices, but the sad truth is that we probably never will.
While an employer cannot be held responsible for an employees’ personal views, they must provide a safe working environment for all their employees, free of discrimination.
As an employee, there are some things you can do to help get rid of racism in your workplace.
If you see discrimination happening, you can tell the person to stop, report it to your employer or report it to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EEOC). Remember, you do not need to be the target of racial abuse in a workplace to call it out.
Does the company you work for have a written policy to deal with and combat discrimination? Is there a reporting procedure in place? Is there a choice of people to report it to? Most people will feel more comfortable with some senior staff than others, so having a range of reporting options is vital.
If the company policy is hidden away inside a staff training manual in the filing cabinet, get it printed and put up on the wall so everyone can see it. Making the policy clear for all to see may help someone come forward with a complaint as well as make people think twice about their words and actions.
If you have suffered racial discrimination at work in New Jersey, or see it happening to someone else, there are legal ways to end it. Consulting an attorney with experience in employment law can help you understand the options available to you.