Recent Allegations of Race Discrimination at UPS and Austal Shipyard Underscore its Prevalence

Despite the fact that Title VII and other laws prohibit workplace discrimination, it still remains a chronic problem at many workplaces. Far too often, employers are not held accountable for discrimination. If you believe you have endured any type of employment discrimination, it is important to consult with an experienced Atlanta employment discrimination attorney to advise you concerning your rights and fight back to help end workplace biases.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate against employees on the basis of sex, gender, religion, national origin and race. It is improper for employers to take one of these “protected” categories into consideration when making employment related decisions, and you may have a claim for discrimination if you have endured any negative workplace treatment such as being denied a job, fired, failed to receive a promotion, or harassed.

Several recent high-profile lawsuits have underscored allegations that employers often engage in discriminatory behavior. Recently, 19 plaintiffs filed a race discrimination lawsuit against UPS asserting that the management “enabled, tolerated, and purposefully promoted and encouraged a culture of racism and racially discriminatory conduct.”

Similarly, blatant racism has been alleged at an Austal Shipyard [source] located in Alabama. Allegations include nooses hanging in the break room, racist graffiti and KKK references. [Read more in the complaint here].

Despite these egregious allegations, much discrimination occurs in subtle manners. This may include giving preferential assignments to certain workers, giving certain workers greater opportunities to earn bonuses or receive benefits, and the way their work is judged in general. Racial biases may also lead to certain employees not be hired altogether.

If you suspect that you have been harmed at worked due to racial discrimination, whether subtle or overt, it’s important to fight back. In addition to educating employers and workers concerning discrimination, it is important that employers face serious consequences for their participation in discriminatory behavior and for allowing it to exist unchecked in the workplace. As Atlanta anti-discriminatory attorneys, we are dedicated to being your advocates. Please contact our experienced Georgia employment lawyers at Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP for an immediate case evaluation.