5 Steps to Protect Yourself from Workplace Discrimination

1. DON’T QUIT!
Workplace discrimination –What should you do?

2. If you feel you are being
discriminated against in your
workplace, be sure to follow
these 5 very important steps to
protect your rights.

3. #1. DON’T QUIT
 Though it may be tempting and you feel you
can’t take it one more minute, DON’T QUIT.
Resist the urge, because you’ll regret it.
 You give up most of your legal leverage when
you resign or quit your job.
 Call a qualified employment attorney for help
BEFORE you decide to call it quits.

4. #2.Put your complaint in
writing
 If you believe your employer is violating your
civil rights, you must notify them. In writing.
 Under federal law, your employer must
investigate your complaint and respond with
corrective action to fix it, if necessary.
 By putting it in writing, you are leaving a
paper trail that you have given your company
the opportunity to comply with federal and
state employment laws/human rights laws.

5. #2. part II
 People are often afraid to complain for fear
they will be terminated. We understand.
 But, if you don’t complain or let them know
what’s going on, how can it be fixed?
 By putting it in writing, should there be any
backlash regarding the conditions of your
employment, that backlash could be
considered retaliation under the various anti-
discrimination statutes.

6. #2. part III
 Retaliation, is any workplace backlash you may
experience following your notification to your
employer about a civil rights violation.
 For example, if you’re continually being passed over
for a promotion by less experienced or less qualified
candidates, and you believe it is because of your sex,
race or age, you complain to HR, and then suddenly
you’re terminated, that sounds like retaliation for your
“protected” complaint. You may not be able to
“prove” discrimination but if you’re fired as a result
and on the heels of your complaint, the retaliation
aspect of your case is stronger due their bad timing.

7. #3.Don’t file with any
governmental agency. Yet.
 Often people feel hurt or harmed by their
employer and they’re seeking immediate
justice. They run off and file a complaint with
the EEOC or a state Human Rights Agency.
 DON’T.
 Where and when you file can impact your
future options.
 DON’T FILE before checking with an
experienced employment attorney.

8. #4.Contact a lawyer
 Many employment attorneys offer no charge
consultations to help you determine if your
situation might be covered by city, state or
federal laws.
 Each situation is unique. Different counties,
different states, the size of the company,
your unique needs, all factor into the
evaluation.
 Protect yourself and call a Plaintiff’s
employment lawyer, that’s an attorney who
concentrates in employee workplace rights.

9. #5. DON’T QUIT
 It bears repeating. Please, believe us.
 For more information, visit:
 WWW.WOMENSRIGHTSNY.COM
 and DON’T QUIT.