Suing Your Boss for National Origin Discrimination – A Quick Guide

National origin discrimination pertains to the unfair treatment of individuals, whether job applicants or employees, due to their specific country of origin or affiliation with a particular region. It can also manifest when discrimination occurs based on an individual’s ethnicity, accent, or even the perception that they belong to a certain ethnic group, irrespective of their background.

Moreover, national origin discrimination extends to mistreating individuals married to or associated with someone of a particular national origin. It’s important to note that discrimination can transpire even when both the victim and the perpetrator share the same national origin.

Whether an individual or her ancestors hail from China, Russia, or Nigeria or identify with an ethnic group such as Hispanic or Arab, they are unequivocally entitled to the same employment opportunities. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) vigorously upholds the federal prohibition against national origin discrimination in employment.

This prohibition is enshrined in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, encompassing private sector employers with fifteen or more employees, federal government employers, employment agencies, and labor organizations. The law firmly safeguards the principle that a person’s national origin should never determine their career prospects, ensuring equal footing for all individuals in the workplace.

What Is National Origin Discrimination?

When an employer treats a prospective job applicant or an existing employee unfairly due to their country of origin, the specific world region they hail from, or the place of origin of their ancestors, it constitutes national origin discrimination. Additionally, it encompasses unjust treatment based on an individual’s accent.

Furthermore, discrimination can extend to situations where someone is treated unfavorably because of their association with individuals of a particular ethnicity, ancestry, or nationality. It is essential to recognize that making employment decisions rooted in an individual’s national origin is unequivocally against the law.

National origin discrimination is a clear violation of legal statutes. Employers are prohibited from making employment-related determinations based on an individual’s citizenship status, national origin, or accent instead of assessing their skills and job performance.

These determinations encompass various aspects, including hiring, termination, disciplinary actions, allocation of benefits, promotions, compensation, job training, and other employment terms and conditions. In most cases, employers are also prohibited from refusing to offer employment solely because a job applicant isn’t a citizen of the U.S. if the applicant possesses legal authorization for working in the United States.

Examples of National Origin Discrimination

It’s crucial to underscore that making employment decisions, such as hiring and firing, predicated on an individual’s national origin or preconceived stereotypes about specific national origin groups is a flagrant violation of the law. This prohibition extends to adverse employment determinations arising from an individual’s marriage to or association with someone of a particular ancestry.

● Policies Resulting in Discriminatory Outcomes:

It’s crucial to acknowledge that unintentional discrimination can also be deemed illegal. Job-related policies that may initially seem impartial can also discriminate if they are disproportionately harming employees from specific national origin groups, especially when such policies lack a legitimate job-related purpose. Here are some examples of policies that can discriminate:

1. An employer implements an English-only rule, which is applicable even during employee breaks. This rule can only be considered legal if it is genuinely essential for the functioning of the organization.
2. Another scenario involves an employer instituting a policy mandating that all employees undergo a search before entering the office. However, this policy singles out individuals of Middle Eastern ancestry for searches based solely on the supervisor’s suspicion that all Muslims are potential terrorists. Such a discriminatory practice violates the law.

● Discrimination by Association:

It’s important to note that an individual doesn’t have to be a protected group member to fall victim to national origin discrimination. The law explicitly forbids discrimination against someone based on their association with individuals from a particular national origin group. Employers are prohibited from treating individuals unfavorably due to various forms of association:

1. Association with or marital ties to individuals from a specific national origin group.
2. Association with or Membership in groups or organizations based on ethnicity.
3. Participation or attendance in places of worship, schools, or other cultural practices typically associated with particular national origin groups.

These provisions underscore the comprehensive protection afforded by anti-discrimination laws, ensuring that individuals are protected from prejudicial treatment regardless of their national origin status.

Legal Recourse for National Origin Discrimination:

During a trial involving national origin discrimination, the court possesses the authority to issue various remedies to address the harm inflicted upon the victim of discrimination. These remedies aim to rectify the injustice and ensure fair compensation for the aggrieved party. Here are some of the legal remedies available:

1. Back Pay: 

Individuals who have experienced nationality discrimination have the right to seek back pay, which constitutes the earnings they would have received had discrimination not occurred. This encompasses regular wages, bonuses, benefits, and other forms of compensation.

2. Reinstatement: 

Courts can mandate employers to rehire employees who were wrongfully terminated due to discrimination or to provide a promotion to an employee who was unjustly denied one. This remedy aims to reinstate affected individuals to their rightful employment status.

3. Front Pay: 

Front pay is a remedy designed to help victims of discrimination regain their previous financial standing. It compensates for lost wages and benefits from ancestry discrimination, ensuring that individuals are not further disadvantaged.

4. Compensatory Damages: 

Compensatory damages cover any financial losses incurred due to discrimination, including out-of-pocket expenses such as lost wages, therapy costs, or expenditures related to securing new employment. Additionally, it encompasses compensation for emotional distress and suffering caused by the discrimination.

5. Punitive Damages: 

Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are a punitive measure against employers found guilty of ethnic discrimination. Courts can order punitive damages if an employer’s actions demonstrate negligence, recklessness, or a deliberate disregard for the rights of the affected individual.

6. Attorneys’ Fees and Costs: 

In addition to the remedies mentioned above, courts have the authority to compel the employer to cover all legal expenses incurred by the victim of discrimination. This includes attorney fees, witness fees, and court costs, ensuring that pursuing justice does not place an undue financial burden on the aggrieved party.

These legal remedies collectively serve not only to compensate victims of national origin discrimination but also to hold employers accountable for their discriminatory actions, promoting a fair and equitable workplace environment.

Final Word

The fight against national origin discrimination is essential to ensure fairness and equality in the workplace. If you or someone you know has been a victim of such discrimination, it’s crucial to know the legal remedies available. Seeking assistance from The Bourassa Law Group and their competent legal team can make all the difference in securing justice and compensation for the harm endured.

With their experienced attorneys and dedication to protecting individuals’ rights, they can provide the necessary guidance and representation to help you navigate the legal process and seek redress for any national origin discrimination you may have experienced. 

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