Race discrimination in employment occurs when an employer, employment agency or union demonstrates prejudice against an employee or job applicant in some aspect of employment, solely on the basis of race or skin color.
Subsequently, race discrimination in employment is also referred to as color discrimination; other terms for it include race-based discrimination and racial discrimination.
Race discrimination in employment is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a groundbreaking federal discrimination law that prohibits discrimination against employees and job applicants based on their race, color, religion, national origin or sex (gender).
Generally, Title VII regulates employers who employ 15 or more employees and, as indicated above, employment agencies and unions as well.
States may enact their own race discrimination laws, as long as the state laws include or improve the provisions in Title VII. Many states have enacted such laws, which are generally referred to as fair employment practices laws or FEP laws for short.
Under state and federal discrimination laws, race discrimination is prohibited in any aspect of employment, including but not limited to hiring, firing, wages, hours, transfer or promotion. The laws prohibit discrimination against employees and job applicants of any race or skin color, not just against those who are members of racial minorities.
Race discrimination in employment against members of a racial majority is often referred to as reverse discrimination, especially when affirmative action has played a part.
For more information about race discrimination, including avenues of relief (legal recourse) for victims, read “Race Discrimination at Work” here at EmployeeIssues.com.
Consult an attorney for legal advice regarding race discrimination in employment.
