Discrimination and harassment in the workplace seem to be rampant in our society today. Companies are instituting measures to mitigate it. Employees are undergoing mandatory training to be more informed. Workplaces are employing more measures than ever to be diverse, inclusive, and non-discriminatory. But what happens if the diversity, equity, and inclusion program itself become discriminatory? Here, our Los Angeles workplace discrimination attorneys want to discuss this issue.
Discrimination In DEI Programs
Jewish employees, Dr. Albucher and Ms. Levin attended a meeting that was promoted to equip the CAPS staff at Stanford University to better engage their diverse student body. However, Dr. Albucher, CAPS staff psychiatrist and clinical associate professor of psychiatry, and Sheila Levin, the CAPS eating disorder specialist, attest what they personally experienced was nothing short of discrimination and also concerned them for the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of their students.
During the Stanford DEI program that Dr. Albucher and Ms. Levin attended, all employees were separated “into two race-based discussion groups who met separately as part of the DEI program — a ‘whiteness accountability’ group and a separate group for people of color.” According to their complaint, Dr. Albucher and Ms. Levin were “pressured” to participate in the ‘whiteness accountability’ group.” Furthermore, they allege the DEI program affirmed an “anti-Semitic narrative” that asserted Jews experience privilege due to their association with a white identity. They also point out that previous occasions of anti-Semitic discrimination on-campus were not addressed during these anti-discrimination meetings, even when they were brought to the attention of the DEI committee. Consequently, Dr. Albucher and Ms. Levin filed charges of discrimination against the school.
Examples Of Workplace Discrimination
32.7% of discrimination charges involve race. Incidents of racial discrimination and harassment are illegal for any area of employment, including:
- Hiring
- Firing
- Pay
- Job assignments
- Promotions
- Layoffs
- Training
- Fringe benefits
Examples of racial discrimination and harassment include:
- Racial slurs
- Offensive or derogatory remarks about a person’s race or color
- Displaying racially offensive symbols
- Policies that negatively impact the employment of people of a particular race or color and is not job-related
- Discrimination based on the lightness, darkness, or other color characteristics of a person
- When race or color discrimination is the basis for differences in pay or benefits, work assignments, performance evaluations, training, discipline or discharge, etc.
How To Respond To Discrimination In The Workplace
Regardless of the type of discrimination or harassment that has taken place, there are clear steps you can take, so you can have a well-supported case:
- Gather documentation
- A paper trail of the timeline
- Evidence (invoices, calendars, emails, etc.) surrounding the event
- Statements from people who witnessed the event
- File a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
When it comes to workplace discrimination, it is best to have a legal team that supports you and specializes in issues involving the workplace. Although Rager & Yoon – Employment Lawyers does not represent Dr. Alucher or Ms. Levin, we want to address instances like these, so that employees who face discrimination or wrongful termination at their workplace can understand their legal rights and have justice. Our Los Angeles workplace discrimination attorneys are standing by to help if you need us.