Do I have a case for “Racial Discrimination”?
Question:
I’m a black man working in a small prominently white town in Indiana. I took this job due to my unemployment expired and came to enjoy it. We’re a franchise with 4 other stores in other small hick towns in indiana. I’m the only black man out of 200 employees within this franchise. The entire staff is made up of all white gender.
I’ve been here for 6 months, worked hard and has not been given a raise or consideration for a promotion although Ive asked to be considered for higher up open positions. My boss in my department walked out 2 months ago then quit. Therefore, I was appointed to carry the load until they name a successor. I carried the load and bonused on my payroll check for reaching my dept. goals.
This boss that quit was brought back and placed at another of our locations that was hiring for same position. He worked there for a month then walked out on them too. However, as I was holding down my store, the owners and my GM hired another male white figure to take over our department. I was ok with it but not surprised.
A few months later, this new guy was fired for stealing within the company. I was asked to hold things down again. Again, I was working 55-60 hours per week, showing up everyday holding things afloat until someone was hired. I assumed it was going to be me but it wasn’t.
Now, 3 other positions have been open throughout each of our 4 stores that deals with more money (promotion), higher title and additional experience that I would have loved I was not considered for neither. The owner hired and moved around numerous white males from store to store with pay raises when I was still holding down my department as a one man show with no raise or no growth potential.
As I complained that I’m getting burned out they pulled a general worker from our warehouse to assist me in my department whereas they are seeking to allow him to now take over bc he knows the system a bit..I”m not to happy about this at all.
Additionally, as I have to work the field, and visit customers. I’ve been threaten by customers, called the “N” word, rocks thrown at me and was told to leave the property or my black *** would be shot. Told my boss of these issues and I fear for my safety but he just tells me that’s part of the job while your in that position.
I have a bachelor’s degree, took the LSAT exam (so so score) and very dependable. I Show for work everyday and bonus while working 50+ hours per week. I want to do something to leave this location but i have no idea what. Jobs are still hard to come by but my money, integrity and safety are at risks and most likely I won’t be promoted anytime soon.
None of the individuals promoted has been working there as long as I. Also,they do not have college degrees or any forms of continued education which I promote to all yong people working the store. I don’t think the owners are practicing workplace diversity or is this a form of discrimination? I’m thinking of calling out national corporations employee concern number but I will wait for responses.
Answer:
Click here to learn how to document problems at work. Do your absolute best to establish a timeline of events just like they do in the cops shows on TV. If you told your superiors that you where having racial discrimination issues out in the field and they did nothing, but blew it off and said “that’s part of the job”, then you could very likely have a case. It is illegal for the employer to do nothing after such complaints. Document, document, document.
Here is some interesting reading for you, the EEOC Press Releases. Just do a search on that page for “racial discrimination” so you can see how companies like yours are getting sued and having to pay some big bucks.
After you get a good handle on the documentation, then find a lawyer…
Find A Lawyer Are you dealing with discrimination, harassment, retaliation, work injuries, wrongful termination or other problems at work that you know are wrong and need them to stop? Click here to search LegalMatch. Act now to get a consultation with qualified employment law attorney in your area before it's too late to file a claim.
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