Federal and state laws protect workers from workplace discrimination, including discrimination based on national origin. Despite New Jersey’s diverse workforce, employees in Northfield, NJ still face discrimination based on their national origin, ethnicity, or perceived ethnic background. Castronovo & McKinney, LLC, a leading employment law firm, represents individuals who have experienced national origin discrimination. We fight to protect your rights and pursue full compensation. Contact us today to speak with an experienced 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 every aspect of employment—hiring, pay, promotions, training, and termination—based on national origin. Harassment related to national origin, including offensive comments or actions that create a hostile work environment, is also illegal. If you have experienced discrimination or harassment, Castronovo & McKinney, LLC can provide strong legal representation to protect your rights and pursue compensation.
Types of National Origin Discrimination
- Country or Place of Origin: Employers cannot discriminate against employees or applicants based on their or their ancestors’ country of origin, including unrecognized regions or refugee status.
- National Origin Group: Discrimination against groups sharing cultural traits, language, or ancestry is prohibited in New Jersey.
- Perceived Ethnicity: Employers cannot act on assumptions about someone’s ethnicity, regardless of their actual background.
- Affiliation: Discrimination against an individual due to their association with someone from a particular national origin is illegal.
Examples of National Origin Discrimination
- Rejecting qualified job applicants with foreign accents.
- Making derogatory comments about an employee’s country of origin.
- Imposing English-only rules without a valid business reason.
- Requiring only certain employees to provide work authorization documents.
- Excluding employees from client interactions or labeling them “not a cultural fit” because of their accent.
Discrimination is often hidden behind neutral policies. Policies like English-only rules may unfairly target immigrant employees and are only legal if necessary for the business operation. If not, they may constitute illegal discrimination.
How Castronovo & McKinney Can Help
Castronovo & McKinney, LLC provides comprehensive legal support for individuals facing national origin discrimination in Northfield, NJ. Our attorneys will:
- Investigate your claims thoroughly.
- Interview coworkers, managers, and supervisors.
- Collect evidence, including personnel records, performance reviews, and communications.
- Assess if the employer has a history of discriminatory practices.
- Manage communications with the employer and their attorneys.
We pursue resolution through negotiation when possible but will file lawsuits when necessary to protect your rights both in and out of court.
Damages You Can Recover
If you have suffered national origin discrimination, Castronovo & McKinney, LLC will pursue recovery of:
- Back pay for lost wages.
- Front pay for future earnings.
- Lost benefits, including health insurance and vacation pay.
- Compensatory damages for emotional distress and pain.
- Attorney fees and court costs.
The court may also order corrective measures, such as revising discriminatory policies and providing manager and supervisor training on discrimination and harassment.
Do not tolerate workplace discrimination based on national origin or ethnicity. Contact our Northfield, NJ office today to start your claim with attorneys specializing in national origin discrimination.