Workplace discrimination is endemic across Texas and throughout the United States. On a daily basis, workers are treated unfairly because of their status in a protected class, such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, and pregnancy. If you’re one of them, then you know all too well the harm that can be caused. Discrimination can render your workplace hostile, leaving you with emotional and psychological trauma, and the retaliation taken against you can negatively impact your career and your financial stability.
So, after being subjected to workplace discrimination, what are you supposed to do? Are you supposed to talk to anyone about your case? And if so, who? These are all important questions to answer, which is why we’ll try to give you a sense of how you should handle your circumstances after being subjected to workplace discrimination.
Should you talk to someone about your workplace discrimination?
Yes. Looking at it from a formal complaint perspective, you should report discriminatory behavior to your company’s human resources department. By doing so, you put your employer on notice of the problematic behavior and create a record of when you sought to halt the behavior. You’ll also create a paper trail of how your employer responded to your complaint, which can be key to the outcome of any legal action you decide to take. Therefore, reporting discrimination is typically a necessary precursor to taking legal action for the harm that’s been caused to you.
Is there anyone else you should reach out to about workplace discrimination?
Yes. If you’re represented by a union, then you might want to reach out to your union representative to discuss what’s happened to you. They can help you better determine if you should pursue the union’s resolution practices or if you should go ahead and file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Filing a complaint with the EEOC also helps you demonstrate that you’ve made attempts to resolve discriminatory action. If the EEOC finds that the evidence supporting your claim rises to the level of discrimination, then they may file their own action against your employer to deter and punish the discriminatory behavior in question.
The value of a workplace discrimination lawsuit
Once you’ve gathered evidence and made a proper trail of your attempts to stop and remedy workplace discrimination, you may want to consider direct legal action against your employer. If you succeed on one of these claims, then you could find accountability and recover compensation for the damages that you’ve suffered. This can include lost wages and mental anguish. Winning an employment law case like this can also provide you with a sense of closure and justice.
Take care of your mental health
Workplace discrimination can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. And you need to take care of yourself to protect your future. One of the best ways to do this is by securing proper mental health treatment. It’s okay to seek support and, doing so isn’t a sign of weakness. You’ve been through a traumatizing experience that you didn’t deserve. So, don’t hesitate to seek out counseling or therapy if you need it.
Chart the best course of action after being subjected to workplace discrimination
Workplace discrimination can negatively impact nearly every aspect of your life if you don’t take action to protect yourself. That’s why now is the time to start thinking about what you need to do to build an aggressive legal claim, protect your psychological well-being, and secure your future. By being thoughtful and thorough, you’ll hopefully be able to obtain the outcome that’s right for you and that puts your employer on notice that such discriminatory behavior won’t be tolerated in the future.