Earning respect and equal protection under the law starts with knowing your rights.
At work, you are legally entitled to the same opportunities for pay, work assignments, training, promotions and job-related benefits as everyone else.
Pay and work assignments
The Washington State Human Rights Commission stipulates that an employer may not “discriminate in compensation or other terms or conditions of employment.” If your qualifications and experience are very similar to that of your peers, you deserve an opportunity to earn similar a paycheck and job description.
Training and promotions
It is against the law if you and others are consistently kept out of training that would advance your skillset and lead to promotions. If you notice a pattern that appears to disenfranchise those of a certain race or nationality, consider your options for legal recourse.
Job-related benefits
One tactic that unscrupulous employers use is to offer benefits after 90 days, then fire or lay off employees only a day or two before the 90th day. Talk to your coworkers. If this is happening only to those of a certain race, this violates the law and you can request compensation.
Rules and policies
All workplaces have codes of conduct, but sometimes employers apply the rules unevenly with policies that impact a certain group. If you notice these inconsistencies, you are within your rights to question your employer and start an investigation. Everyone deserves equal treatment under the law. If this is not happening where you work, exercise your rights and seek justice.