Atlanta National Origin Discrimination Attorneys
Strong advocacy on behalf of Georgia employees
Many of the finest jobs and industries in Georgia were started by immigrants, yet they face constant challenges to find and keep employment because they’re unfairly seen as “different.” Even folks who have lived in the United States for years, or whose children are first-generation, can be seen as “un-American.”
If you have experienced any form of discrimination relating to your national origin, call Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP to speak with our Atlanta employment attorneys today. We’ll explain your rights. We’ll help you understand the laws that prohibit discrimination in the workplace based on an employee’s country of origin. We’ve helped numerous clients obtain millions in overall recoveries for violating the rights of employees. We want to help you, too.
This was my first time having to seek legal counsel on an employment issue so I was a bit nervous about the process. I was referred to Ed Buckley by a friend I respect and trust, and one that has over 20 years of experience in law. Mr. Buckley made the process much less intimidating for me. Many thanks to Mr. Buckley and team for helping me. I'd definitely hire them again. – Google review
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How can we help?
- What is the definition of national origin discrimination?
- What kinds of national origin discrimination cases do your Atlanta attorneys handle?
- What laws protect me from discrimination based on national origin?
- Do I need to hire an employment attorney if I’m a victim of national origin discrimination?
- What damages can I seek in a national origin discrimination claim in Atlanta?
- Do you have a national original discrimination attorney near me?
What is the definition of national origin discrimination?
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces laws that prohibit employers with 15 or more employees from “treating you differently, or less favorably, because you or a friend, parent, or someone else you associate with comes from a particular place, has a particular accent, or appears to have a particular ethnic background, perhaps because of physical characteristics or name.”
The EEOC states that the federal discrimination laws that govern discrimination based on national origin apply if the employee appears to be of a certain ethnic background – even if they are not. Discrimination based on national origin can also include unfavorable treatment because an employee is married or associated with someone of a “certain” national origin.
The protections against national origin harassment and discrimination apply if the workplace harasser is a manager, co-worker, or other person. The laws that the EEOC enforces also protect you from retaliation if you, or someone you closely associate with like a spouse or relative, complains about national origin discrimination. An employer can be found liable for national origin discrimination even if the employer and the employee are from the same country.
What kinds of national origin discrimination cases do your Atlanta attorneys handle?
Our Atlanta employment lawyers represent employees in the following types of actions that are based on an employee’s national origin:
- Employment discrimination. We represent employees who were denied employment, fired, failed to receive a promotion, were fired, or were segregated at work based on the employee’s national origin. In many cases, race and color play a role in this type of discrimination, too.
- Religious discrimination. Assumptions about the religious beliefs of a person based on national origin can lead to discriminatory and/or abusive behaviors. For example, employees may assume that an “ethnic sounding” name automatically determines what an employee believes.
- Harassment. We advocate for employees when workplace harassment is “so severe or pervasive that it creates a hostile work environment.” Harassment can include physical violence, ethnic slurs, workplace graffiti, and other “offensive conduct directed towards an individual because of birthplace, ethnicity, culture, language, dress, or foreign accent.” Employers have a duty to prevent and correct unlawful workplace harassment.
- Sexual harassment. Ethnic stereotyping can lead some people to believe that folks from certain areas of the world will behave in certain sexualized ways. Making jokes or offensive comments, or engaging in unwanted sexual behaviors, is illegal.
- Language discrimination. We represent employees who suffer discrimination or harassment based on their accents. The EEOC states that employers cannot base employment decisions on an employee’s “foreign accent unless effective spoken communication in English is required to perform job duties and the individual's accent materially interferes with her ability to communicate in English.” Our Atlanta national origin discrimination lawyers also represent employees who suffer employment consequences based on English fluency or English-only requirements unless those requirements are necessary for the “effective performance of the job or to promote job safety.”
What laws protect me from discrimination based on national origin?
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
The primary federal law that governs the rights of employees and prospective employees from discrimination based on national origin is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. According to the EEOC, that law forbids discrimination (including discrimination based on national law) of “all aspects of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment.”
Title VII also protects employees from harassment based on national origin. Generally, workplace harassment requires showing that the employer, workers at the employer’s company, or customers or clients of the worker harassed the employee to the point working for the employer became unbearable.
Do I need to hire an employment attorney if I’m a victim of national origin discrimination?
Legally, a person never needs to hire an attorney – but your chances of relief are statistically better when you work with a battle-tested professional. Employment law is a complex and nuanced area, and you will likely face several hurdles if you don’t have help.
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP files lawsuits in federal courts on behalf of victims of discrimination in Atlanta and throughout Georgia. We know the laws, we know the required steps to take, and we know how to present evidence and documentation to judges and juries. We also know how to calculate the true extent of your losses. This is important, because your employer is going to have an attorney or team of attorneys, too. And their goal is to protect their client – not to negotiate or litigate a fair and just outcome for you.
So, do you need to hire a lawyer? No – but you absolutely should. Our Atlanta employment attorneys have a national reputation built on successes in state and federal courts. We want to help.
What damages can I seek in a national origin discrimination claim in Atlanta?
Our Atlanta national origin discrimination and harassment lawyers will seek damages for your financial losses and for the violation of your civil rights including:
- Back pay damages including lost income benefits, vacation pay, sick pay, retirement benefits, and other financial damages
- Front pay damages which compensate you for your financial damages from the date of a wrongful termination until you reasonably find a comparable job
- Job reinstatement, where appropriate
- Statutory damages
- Legal fees and court costs
- Any other damages that may apply
Do you have a national original discrimination attorney near me?
Our Atlanta employment lawyers meet clients at our office which is located at 600 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 3900. Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP proudly serves clients throughout Georgia, including those in Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, and Savannah. We also consult with employees who have suffered discrimination or harassment due to their national origin via phone and video by appointment.
We’ll answer all your questions, file your claims with the correct agencies and courts, and seek full compensation for these unconscionable wrongs. We hold employers accountable if they discriminate or harass based on national origin.
Talk with an attorney about your national origin discrimination case
Don't let your fear prevent you from getting the relief you're entitled to receive for an act of discrimination. When you feel like your voice is not being heard, Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP is your advocate. Our attorneys are very experienced in handling national origin discrimination cases, and we are ready to help you fight your case.
We represent employees across Georgia. To get started on your case, please call or contact us now. We’ll help you through this difficult time.