4 Steps to Follow if You Are Experiencing Workplace Discrimination
While workplaces have certainly evolved in recent years, workplace discrimination is still an issue that many employees face.
Discrimination in the workplace can lead to loads of issues both in and out of the workplace, which is why you need to do something about it. Of course, this is often easier said than done, especially if you don’t know what to do. That’s why this post will be walking you through four steps you can follow if you are experiencing workplace discrimination. So, if that’s something you’re experiencing, you’ve come to the right place.
Consider taking legal action
The first step to take is to decide whether or not you want to pursue legal action. You may want to resolve things within the company, but if that’s not possible, taking more drastic steps might be your only option. Pursuing legal action may seem like a big step, but when it comes to your workplace safety, it’s always better to be on the safe side.
It’s also a good idea to hire a lawyer to help you with this since a professional will be able to guide you through the process more easily. If possible, hire an employment lawyer as they will have more experience with workplace discrimination claims. Have a look at employment lawyers like HKM to learn more about how they can help you.
File a complaint
You should also file a complaint with your company’s HR department, or at least talk to a superior about it.
This can be useful if certain words are used that directly offend your heritage and race. Getting the answer to the question “what is racial literacy” and understanding what words cannot be used against another person can help you determine if your situation qualifies as discrimination. This can also be helpful if a colleague or superior is treating you unfairly because of your gender, sexual orientation, religion, or any other protected characteristic.
Even though nothing may come of it, you will be able to use your complaint as evidence if you do decide to take legal action. Experiencing workplace discrimination and having to do things like file complaints can be a very stressful situation, so be sure to have a social support system in place to help you get through this difficult time.
Prioritize your safety
If you are being discriminated against at work, the chances are that you feel unsafe. And while it’s bad enough to feel unsafe at your workplace, it’s even worse if you start feeling safe outside of work as well.
Sometimes, the person who is discriminating against you at work may also start to interfere with your personal life. If they seem aggressive, consider setting up a home office so that you can work from home until the problem is gone. And if they know where you live or have ever threatened or hurt you, you should consider getting the police involved and filing a restraining order.
Gather evidence
Finally, you need to accept that workplace discrimination cases are notoriously tricky because they often end up being one party’s word against the other’s.
That is why it’s vital that you try to find some evidence or documentation of the discriminatory incidents. Some examples of evidence include video or audio recordings, screenshots of any messages or emails they send you, or even witness statements from people who have seen the discrimination take place.
