Workplace discrimination unfortunately remains a problem in Texas and throughout the country. Federal and state laws make it illegal to discriminate against an employee based on certain characteristics, such as race and gender.
Racial discrimination in the workplace can result in stereotyping, limited advancement opportunities or being placed in lower skilled positions. Traditionally, gender discrimination has manifested itself through similar means, as well as wage gaps and exclusion from leadership positions.
Although each of these forms of discrimination have been studied, we are just starting to understand the complexity of situations involving a mix of race and gender discrimination in a workplace context.
What does intersectionality mean?
When discrimination based on race and gender intersects, it can create a complicated and confusing scenario for employees. Intersectionality refers to multiple identity characteristics, such as race and gender, intersecting to produce exceptional experiences of oppression.
This means that when different forms of discrimination intersect, it results in a unique situation for each individual employee.
For example, a female woman of color may experience what feels like “double discrimination” and experience both racial and gender discrimination in the workplace. Because she is both a woman and a person of color, her experience may be different from that of a white woman or a male man of color.
While many workplaces have attempted to reduce discrimination through diversity and inclusion initiatives, these efforts do not always address the special problems presented by intersectional discrimination.
Although a diversity and inclusion program may be created with a positive intent, sometimes the program builds awareness but fails to make any concrete or lasting change in inequities already existing within the workplace environment.
Workplace discrimination can have a detrimental effect that lasts a lifetime
When you are the victim of workplace discrimination based on your race, gender or a complex combination of both, your physical and mental health may suffer.
Many victims of workplace discrimination are afraid to return to work or continue in their previously thriving careers. Confidence can decline and anxiety, depression or other mental health issues can surface.
You have a right to hold your employer accountable if you are a victim of workplace discrimination, whether it is discrimination based on race, gender or a combination of the two.
If you believe you are a victim of workplace discrimination, document each interaction with your employer. Keep a journal of dates, times and events of each discriminatory action. Include your own personal account of what happened in the journal, including how each discriminatory experience made you feel.
Request a copy of your employee records. Talk with any witnesses who may have witnessed the discrimination. These steps can help you gather evidence that can help you prove your claim of workplace discrimination.
Nurture your mental health
Seek counseling or therapy to heal from the experience and know that you are taking the right steps to become stronger.
Current federal and state laws are designed to address discrimination claims based on one specific characteristic. If you believe your discrimination comes from an intersection of more than one characteristic, a thorough analysis of your situation is necessary to determine the best way to proceed.