It’s never a good feeling when you are discriminated against. When this occurs at your federal job, it can seem even worse. If one or more individuals have been discriminating against you at work, know that you don’t have to stand for this type of treatment. It is illegal to discriminate against an employee based on his or her race, age, religion, gender identity, national origin, or disability. Here are the next steps you should take.
Remain Calm
If you’re being discriminated against at work, it’s understandable that you feel hurt and angry. However, it’s important to remain calm so that you don’t do anything you may regret later. Take deep breaths and walk out of a room if you feel like you may explode.
Tell the Person to Stop
If you feel comfortable doing so, tell the offending person to stop. Explain how their actions make you uncomfortable and that you would really appreciate it if they left you alone.
Write Everything Down
It’s important to write down the details of the discrimination you’ve been facing. Include the dates, times, locations, parties involved, and a description of what occurred. Try to write about these events as soon as possible, as memories fade over time.
Let Your Employer Know
If you’re dealing with discrimination in the workplace, you should inform your employer as soon as possible. Employers are required by law to investigate all instances of discrimination. However, many acts of discrimination go urecognized or unpunished because the victim never reports it. Tell your employer the details of what happened and that you don’t want these kinds of actions to continue.
Be Aware of Retaliation
Believe it or not, some employers retaliate against employees who make complaints about discrimination. For example, an employer may pass an employee over for a promotion or raise if he or she reported discrimination. Sometimes an employer may even go as far as terminating that employee. If you have been retaliated against, you should write that down in your journal.
Hire a Lawyer
If your employer isn’t doing enough to deal with the harassment you’ve been facing, you should hire an experienced federal lawyer. Discrimination can be difficult to prove, so it’s important to have someone with knowledge and experience on your side. A federal employee lawyer can help you file all the required paperwork correctly and build a strong case. He or she can also protect your legal rights.
Experienced lawyers understand how terrible it is to get discriminated against at work. They have likely helped many employees file discrimination lawsuits in the past and are there to help you get justice. Contact a lawyer, like a Disability discrimination lawyer Washington, DC from Eric Siegel Law, today to set up a consultation.