Federal and state laws prohibit workplace discrimination, including discrimination based on national origin. Despite Margate City, NJ’s diversity, discrimination based on national origin, ethnicity, or perceived ethnic background still persists. Castronovo & McKinney, LLC, a leading employment law firm, specializes in helping individuals who have experienced national origin discrimination. With a proven track record, we protect your rights. Contact us today to speak with an experienced discrimination attorney.
How the Law Protects You From National Origin Discrimination
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibit discrimination in all areas of employment—hiring, compensation, promotion, training, and termination—based on national origin. Harassment related to national origin is also prohibited, including offensive comments or actions that create a hostile work environment. If you’ve faced discrimination or harassment due to your national origin, we offer strong legal representation to protect your rights and pursue justice.
Types of National Origin Discrimination
- Discrimination Based on Country or Place of Origin: Employers cannot discriminate against job applicants or employees based on their or their ancestors’ country of origin, even if they are refugees or from unrecognized areas.
- Discrimination Based on National Origin Group: Discrimination against groups sharing cultural traits, ancestry, or language is illegal in New Jersey.
- Discrimination Based on Perceived Ethnicity: Discrimination based on perceived ethnicity, regardless of actual background, is prohibited.
- Discrimination Based on Affiliation: Discrimination against someone due to their association with someone from a particular national origin is prohibited.
What National Origin Discrimination Looks Like
National origin discrimination can occur in several forms, including:
- Rejecting job applicants with foreign accents despite their qualifications.
- Making derogatory comments about an employee’s country of origin.
- Imposing unnecessary English-only rules without clear business justification.
- Requiring only non-Caucasian applicants to provide work authorization documents.
- Claiming an applicant is “not a good fit” because of their accent or advising an employee against interacting with clients due to their accent.
It can be hard to recognize national origin discrimination because employers often hide discriminatory actions under seemingly neutral policies. For example, English-only rules that disproportionately impact immigrant employees may be unlawful unless they are justified for operational purposes.
How Castronovo & McKinney Can Help
If you’ve experienced discrimination or harassment due to national origin or ethnicity, Castronovo & McKinney, LLC can help. Our skilled attorneys will manage every aspect of your case, including:
- Investigating your claims thoroughly.
- Interviewing relevant witnesses such as coworkers, managers, and supervisors.
- Collecting evidence, including personnel records, performance reviews, and communications.
- Identifying if the employer has a history of discriminatory practices.
- Managing all communications with the employer and their attorneys.
We strive to resolve claims through negotiation but are prepared to file a lawsuit if necessary to protect your rights.
Damages You Can Recover for National Origin Discrimination
If you’ve faced national origin discrimination, we will fight for the following damages on your behalf:
- Back pay for lost wages.
- Front pay for future earnings.
- Lost benefits such as health insurance and vacation pay.
- Compensatory damages for emotional distress and suffering.
- Attorney fees and court costs.
The court may also order corrective actions, such as revising discriminatory policies and implementing training for managers and supervisors on preventing discrimination and harassment.
Don’t tolerate workplace discrimination. Contact Castronovo & McKinney, LLC in Margate City, NJ to start your claim with an experienced attorney specializing in national origin discrimination.
