Race Discrimination

Employment Attorneys Assisting Traverse City and Grand Rapids Workers

It is illegal for employers to discriminate against a job applicant or employee based on their race, national origin, or color. Both federal and state laws prohibit discrimination on this basis. Unfortunately, it still happens at times. Lawsuits may arise in connection with employees of African-American, Middle Eastern, Hispanic, or Asian heritage. At Neumann Law Group, Kelly Neumann is an experienced Michigan-based employment law attorney who can offer legal representation to workers who believe that they have suffered from discrimination on the basis of race. Our Grand Rapids and Traverse City race discrimination lawyers can assist Michigan residents with holding their employers accountable for misconduct.

Addressing racial discrimination in employment is not only a matter of social justice but also an economic imperative. Creating a fair and inclusive workplace fosters a more skilled, motivated, and diverse workforce, which, in turn, contributes to a more robust and resilient economy. Racial discrimination in employment can have several negative impacts on the economy. Here are some ways in which it can harm economic productivity and overall well-being:

• Reduced Workforce Productivity: When individuals are discriminated against based on their race, they may face barriers in accessing education, training, and career advancement opportunities. This can result in a less skilled and less productive workforce, ultimately hindering economic growth.
• Wage Disparities: Racial discrimination can contribute to wage gaps between different racial and ethnic groups. When individuals are paid less or are denied equal opportunities for advancement based on their race, it can lead to income inequality and hinder overall economic prosperity.
• Unemployment and Underemployment: Discrimination in hiring practices can result in qualified individuals being unemployed or underemployed. This not only negatively impacts the individuals involved but also leads to a less efficient allocation of human resources in the economy.
• Lower Consumer Spending: Discrimination can limit the purchasing power of affected individuals and communities. When a significant portion of the population faces economic marginalization, it can result in lower consumer spending, which is a key driver of economic growth.
• Negative Impact on Innovation: Racially discriminatory practices in hiring and promotion can exclude talented individuals from contributing to various industries. This exclusion limits the diversity of perspectives and skills within organizations, potentially stifling innovation and creativity.
• Increased Social and Economic Inequality: Racial discrimination contributes to broader patterns of social and economic inequality. Persistent disparities in income, wealth, and access to opportunities can lead to social unrest and negatively impact social cohesion, which is essential for a stable and prosperous economy.

Pursuing a Race Discrimination Claim

Both U.S. and Michigan laws prohibit race discrimination. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the federal law that forbids employers from discriminating due to race, national origin, or color, among other protected characteristics. It is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and you must first file a charge with the EEOC before filing a federal lawsuit alleging a Title VII violation. This is called exhausting your administrative remedies. The civil rights and employment attorneys with Neumann Law Group are experienced in assisting clients at all levels of a racial discrimination claim. We can help prepare an appropriate EEOC complaint that will increase the chances of a just result, whether the case progresses to litigation or is resolved with a settlement at an earlier stage.

In some potentially valid cases of race discrimination, the EEOC fails to find evidence of discrimination and instead issues a Notice of Right to Sue, which provides a limited window of time within which to sue in federal court for race discrimination. You should not assume that you do not have a case just because the EEOC did not find the evidence that it needed to pursue your claim. Our race discrimination attorneys can help Traverse City and Grand Rapids workers understand their legal options.

In some ways, the Michigan Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) is more expansive when it comes to protection from race discrimination. Unlike Title VII, which applies to employers with 15 or more employees, ELCRA applies to employers of all sizes. It is illegal under ELCRA for your employer to hire you, refuse to hire you, terminate you, or discriminate against you with regard to any of the terms or conditions of your employment due to your race or color. Your employer is not supposed to use race as the basis for whether you are admitted to any program or apprenticeship that is part of your employment. It also should not segregate or classify employees such that they would be deprived of any employment opportunities due to their race or color.

Sometimes, seemingly neutral policies or practices have a disparate impact on workers of a particular race or color. This means that they disproportionately affect members of a protected group. This is a form of discrimination, as is harassment of a worker based on their race. You may bring a private lawsuit for damages under ELCRA, but you must bring it within three years of a discriminatory act.

Retain a Dedicated Race Discrimination Lawyer in Grand Rapids or Traverse City

Workers in Michigan have a right to be free from race discrimination in the workplace. If you have been a victim of mistreatment, our Traverse City and Grand Rapids race discrimination attorneys may be able to assist you. Our firm also represents people in Ann Arbor, Flint, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Detroit, Wyoming, Saginaw, Muskegon, Midland, Holland, Warren, and Petoskey, as well as communities throughout the Upper Peninsula. Contact Neumann Law Group at 800-525-NEUMANN or via our online form to set up a free appointment with a race or age discrimination lawyer. In addition to employment law, we are accepting cleints with nearly any legal issue, including personal injury, medical malpractice, criminal defense, estate planning, collections, and family law.