How are Workers Protected Under Federal and New York Laws?
The following laws help safeguard employees from workplace discrimination stemming from both unconscious biases and overt actions:
New York State Laws: The New York State Human Rights Law and New York City Human Rights Law offer similar protections, often exceeding those at the federal level.
Federal Protections: Laws such as the Civil Rights Act (Title VII), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) combat various types of discrimination.
What is Unconscious Bias?
This consists of unintentional positive and negative stereotypes that influence our actions without us realizing it, which can manifest in various forms:
Gender Bias: Assuming certain roles or traits based on gender.
Racial Bias: Having stereotypes about people from different racial backgrounds.
Age Bias: Assuming capabilities based on age.
Affinity Bias: Favoring those who are similar to us in background or interests.
These biases can affect workplace interactions and decisions -- influencing everything from hiring practices to performance reviews. These can also subtly shape workplace culture, often leading to an unintentionally exclusive environment. So understanding and addressing unconscious bias is crucial for fostering fair and inclusive environments.
When Does Bias Become Discrimination?
Bias turns into discrimination when:
A criteria that favors specific demographics when hiring and promoting employees.
It hinders someone's career growth or job prospects because of limited opportunities..
Displays repeated patterns of favoritism or adverse decisions consistently affecting certain groups.
There are informal networks that exclude certain groups that impact social and professional opportunities.
When discrimination happens in the workplace, biased actions breach equal employment opportunity laws. By recognizing the signs stated above, it would help employees identify when they are facing this situation and do something about it.
When to Consult an Attorney?
If discrimination is hindering your career, you can seek legal advice using a legal marketplace like Onward Justice that can match you with the right human attorney. An attorney can help clarify your situation, suggest the next steps, and assist in documenting incidents and gathering evidence. These steps are important for any legal action. If you need an attorney near Fort Lee, NJ, New York City, Los Angeles or San Diego - we are here for you!