If you’ve experienced discrimination based on your country of origin at work, you’re not alone. This type of discrimination happens when an employer or coworker treats you unfairly due to your nationality, ethnicity, or accent. Washington state law provides protections for workers, ensuring that you can work in an environment free from this kind of bias.
It can be helpful to review examples of what country of origin discrimination might look like at your workplace.
Biased hiring practices
Employers sometimes show bias before you even get the job. They might reject your application because of a foreign-sounding name or say they want someone “more American.” In Washington, it’s illegal to base hiring decisions on your national origin. Employers must focus on your skills—not where you’re from.
Harassment based on accent or language
You might hear jokes, slurs, or rude comments about your accent or native language. Or a manager may say you need to “speak better English” even if your work doesn’t require it. These actions can create a hostile environment. Washington law requires employers to stop and prevent this kind of harassment.
Unequal pay and promotions
Some employers pay workers from certain countries less or skip them for promotions. If you have the same experience and qualifications as others but don’t get equal treatment, that’s discrimination. Washington law says employers must treat all workers fairly, no matter where they come from.
Stereotyped job assignments
Sometimes employers give tasks based on where they think you’re from. For example, they might ask you to speak a language just because of your background—even when the job doesn’t need it. This limits your role unfairly and assumes things about you that may not be true.
You deserve fair treatment at every stage of your job. Washington protects you from bias tied to your country of origin. If you see these signs at work, don’t ignore them. Know your rights and take steps to protect them.