Facing discrimination at work is never easy and it can leave you feeling confused, frustrated and even helpless. Discrimination may be based on race, gender, religion, disability or other protected traits. Whatever the reason, it is important to act early and carefully to get the deserved justice.
The best thing is, there are practical steps you can take to protect yourself and begin addressing the problem.
Keep a written record
Write down every incident of discrimination and include the date, time, location and names of everyone involved. Save any messages or images that support your experience since they will help you remember the details and support your claims later.
Report the issue to your employer
Tell your supervisor or human resources manager about what happened and do it in writing if you can. Ask for a written response and keep a copy of everything. Speaking up shows that you are taking the situation seriously.
Ask for a formal investigation
Request that your employer investigates the problem and ask that a written report be made and that proper steps are taken to stop the behavior. This gives your employer a chance to fix the issue while showing that you followed the right process.
Contact a government agency
If nothing changes or your employer does not respond positively about your complaint, you can file another one with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. They will look into your case and may take further action if needed.
Read your company policies
Take time to review your employee handbook or anti-discrimination policies. These documents often explain your rights and the steps your company should take when a complaint is made. Knowing this can help you make the most informed decision when it comes to making an official complaint.
Get legal guidance if needed
Dealing with an employee discrimination case is not a walk in the park and may require that you seek the services of a legal practitioner. By so doing, you will have positioned yourself in a better position to be heard and get the justice that you truly deserve.