3 Signs Racism is an Issue in Your Workplace and What You Can Do About It

When employees at a Starbucks in Philadelphia called the cops to report that two black men were inside the coffee shop “trespassing” it sparked a national debate. The men, both 23 at the time of the incident, were waiting for a business partner to arrive when two minutes later, a Starbucks employee called the police to say that the men were refusing to make a purchase.

At the root of the event was racial discrimination against the two black men. Following the event, Starbucks held a four-hour company-wide racial bias training to highlight many of the issues coffee shops, retail stores, and other public spaces face when it comes to racism and how their company needed to implement change. Starbucks’ CEO Kevin Johnson issued an apology on behalf of the company and said the coffee chain “stands firmly against discrimination or racial profiling.” For many workplaces, racial discrimination exists but it’s never discussed.

Is Racism an Issue in Your Workplace?

For many companies, the importance of workplace race discrimination is an issue that only comes up when a major incident forces management to take action. Workers often feel intimidated or threatened to speak out. As a race discrimination lawyer in El Paso, Perry Piñón has learned how the hostile signs of racism in workplaces are often everyday occurrences.

If you suspect your workplace is experiencing racial discrimination, look out for these three common signs:    

Sign #1: Hostile Behavior Against One Race is the Norm

Whether it’s in the form of criticism, pointing out differences in appearance, or refusing to include a group in projects or meetings, hostile behavior against a particular race is not how workplaces should operate. If your manager is not able to spot these unfair actions or refuses to address them, contact a race discrimination lawyer.  

Sign #2: Persistent False Generalizations or Stereotyping Exists  

Stereotyping against a race is an issue we see played out on the national level. From President Trump claiming a judge was unfit given his Mexican heritage to tech companies like Uber ignoring internal racial complaints this past July. Other examples of workplace generalizations or stereotypes often include negative comments about a race’s appearance, character, or behavior. It’s important to remember that a single person’s actions do not represent an entire group and therefore these broad accusations can have serious consequences.         

Sign #3: Preference is Given to One Race Time and Time Again

An example of preference over a race is lack of diversity in leadership. If qualified employees who apply for managerial positions are consistently overlooked or given inadequate excuses as to why they were not selected, there could be racial bias under the surface. If one group is receiving preference solely based on race, that employer could be creating an environment of racial discrimination.    

If You’re Experiencing This Type of Behavior, Contact the Law Office of Perry Piñón

A race discrimination lawyer can help you determine if you’re a victim of workplace discrimination. These cases can be extremely difficult to navigate as no employer wants a racial discrimination case on their hands. Allow the Law Office of Perry Piñón to assist you! Our team specializes in employment laws and protects workers against unethical practices at any level.