Discrimination based on national origin or heritage is characterized by treating someone poorly because they are from a specific country, have a particular ethnicity or accent, or are thought to have a particular ethnic background. Mistreatment of someone because of their marriage or other relationship with someone of a certain nationality or ethnicity is also considered to be discrimination on the basis of national origin or descent.
This type of behavior in the workplace is unconstitutional, making it imperative to hire a St. Louis national origin discrimination lawyer in cases of mistreatment on the basis of descent. If you believe you are being discriminated against by your employer or coworkers because of your country of origin or family heritage, retaining a skilled workplace discrimination attorney may be your best option for protecting your rights.
An employer’s prejudice against workers with a particular country of origin or descent can manifest in many ways. For example, a business owner’s failure to pay their employees equally may be found liable for nation origin discrimination if it is found that they reduced the pay of workers of a certain ethnic heritage. Additionally, firing an employee or denying them a promotion after learning of their country of origin is also considered to be an actionable form of discrimination in St. Louis.
Harassment can also occur on the basis of physical, cultural, or linguistic features associated with a specific country of origin, such as an accent or clothing items. It is also possible for harassment to occur based on the belief that someone is of a certain heritage. While harassment may be perpetrated by coworkers, an employer can still be held liable if they failed to remedy the situation despite knowing about it. Any employees who are discriminated against because of their national origin may also be subjected to other types of mistreatment, such as discrimination based on immigration or citizenship status.
In St. Louis, federal and state laws prohibit employment discrimination based on national origin. Individuals are protected under the Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA) from discrimination based on national origin and/or ancestry. Under Missouri Revisor of Statutes Title 12 §213.111, an employee or job candidate, regardless of heritage, is entitled to the same work opportunities as anyone else. Employers with six or more workers, including state and local governments, are covered under MHRA.
Additionally, 42 United States Code §2000e-2(a) provides employees with federal protection from national origin discrimination. One of our well-versed attorneys could review your employer’s behavior to determine whether they violated either of these statutes.
The Missouri Commission on Human Rights imposes a 180-day time limit on a worker’s right file a complaint of national origin discrimination. Workers who successfully file a national origin discrimination complaint earn the right to file a civil claim with the help of a local lawyer.
As relief, the courts may award the plaintiff:
If you were subjected to national origin discrimination at your place of employment, you should retain legal representation sooner rather than later. Your time to seek legal remedies is limited, so do not hesitate to reach out to a dedicated St. Louis national origin discrimination lawyer who can review your case and help you build a strong claim for damages. Call today for a consultation.
