National Origin Discrimination

Lawyers standing up for your rights in Ohio

It is against the law to subject an employee to harassment or discrimination based on national origin or ethnic background. This type of behavior still happens in some workplaces, however. Our experienced discrimination attorneys fight for the rights of employees and hold employers accountable for their actions.

At Gibson Law, LLC, we are familiar with the complicated laws that apply in discrimination cases. We also know how employers approach these types of claims – we used to represent them for a national law firm. Now, we fight for employees in Ohio who have been mistreated at the workplace.

Our attorneys know how to get results

The law protects employees from being discriminated against in the workplace based on their national origin. This includes Title VII of the Civil Rights of 1964 and Ohio state law. Specifically, employers are prohibited from treating applicants or employees unfavorably because they have a different ethnicity or accent, or even because they appear to have a different ethnic background.

This prohibition applies to all aspects of employment, such as hiring or firing, promotions or demotions, pay, job assignments, benefits, leave and any other term of employment. Examples of discrimination include:

• A person of a particular national origin or ethnic background is passed over for hiring for a less-qualified person of a different background.
• A person of a particular national origin or ethnic background is paid less than other employees of different backgrounds doing the same job.
• A person of a particular national origin or ethnic background is passed over for promotion in favor of a less-qualified employee.
• An employer treats an applicant or employee less favorably than people with a different national origin.
• Managers or fellow employees make comments or jokes about an employee’s actual or perceived national origin.

Employers may also not discriminate against an employee who is married to or associated with a person of a particular national origin or ethnic background.

A claim of discrimination can be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC). These agencies are often dealing with a huge backlog of cases and may not be able to thoroughly investigate your case. That’s why it’s important to get trusted legal advice as soon as possible.

We’re ready to fight for you

Our firm knows where to look for evidence that you were subjected to discrimination based on national origin or ethnic background. We gather and carefully review documentation that may include pay stubs, employee records, memos and emails. We identify and interview witnesses, such as co-workers and managers.

We know how to build strong cases that employers must take seriously. Then we demand compensation. This may include back pay, lost future wages, liquidated (double) damages and attorney’s fees. Many times, we can get results through a negotiated settlement, but we are always prepared to litigate.

You do not have to put up with discrimination based on your national origin or ethnic background. Contact us for a consultation with a member of our legal team at our Cincinnati or Dayton office.