Racial discrimination at work is illegal under federal and state law. You probably know this. However, racial discrimination takes many different forms, and it can sometimes be hard to detect.
Some are obvious and blatant, such as someone calling you a racial slur or saying that someone of your race is inferior. But some are more subtle. You might not even realize you are experiencing racial discrimination.
Here are some signs of racial discrimination at work.
Unequal pay
Unequal pay is an obvious sign, but before you declare it racial discrimination, consider the protected classes involved. For example, race, sex and religion are considered protected classes because it is illegal to discriminate against workers solely on the basis of these characteristics. If you and others receiving lower pay are part of one protected class and those receiving higher pay are part of another, it is more likely to be racial discrimination.
Stereotyping
Stereotyping can happen through verbal comments. Words such as “us” or “they” can be used to divide people into groups based on characteristics such as race. Jokes made about a particular custom of a group of people, such as the types of food they eat, are stereotyping that could be a sign of race discrimination.
Critical managers
Overly critical bosses or inconsistent punishments are another sign of potential racial discrimination. If you notice that you and a co-worker of another race make the exact same mistake, and they are not punished but you are, consider if your race might be the reason.
Lack of promotions
Unfortunately, race still plays a role in how far certain people can go in terms of promotions. You may be qualified for specific promotions and find that no matter how much you apply, you are constantly overlooked in favor of someone of another race who has less education and experience.
Being excluded
Being left out of meetings, social events or other gatherings could be a sign of discrimination.
If your schedule prevents you from attending these events, ask about changing it and make clear that you would like to participate in them. If nothing is done or you are given reasons that do not make sense as to why you are not invited, racial discrimination could be at play.