Transitioning to a new country is a long and difficult process. It is even more difficult when you have to fight discrimination and insensitivity at work. However, there are laws in place that protect people from being discriminated against based on their country of origin. This type of discrimination is different from discrimination based on race. National Origin discrimination occurs when an employer discriminates against a worker because of where they were born. Thus, if your employer discriminates against you because you were born in India, you may have a claim against your employer.

The Immigration and Reform Control Act (IRCA) makes it illegal for your employer to discriminate against you because of your country of national origin. This law applies to US citizens, US nationals, and authorized aliens. Were you recently denied a job because the employer had a ‘US citizens only’ hiring policy? This type of discrimination is also illegal. An employer is allowed to require US citizens for certain types of jobs if it is allowed by federal, state, local law, or government contracts. An employment application also may not ask the individual about their citizenship status. It may only ask if the employee is authorized to work in the United States.

Recently, a nursing home company located in both California and Texas agreed to settled a National Origin discrimination lawsuit. The company, Skilled Healthcare Group, agreed to pay $450,000 to provide relief to Hispanic employees who alleged they were discriminated against based on their country of origin. The company had imposed an English language only on Spanish speakers, but allowed other foreign languages to be spoken at work.

If you believe that you are a victim of national origin discrimination, don’t stand silent. Call the experienced employment lawyers at Law Offices of David H. Greenberg today! You can reach us at 1-888-204-1014. Call us for a free consultation. You can also visit us at www.discriminationattorney.com to learn more. We are here to help!