A GROUP OF 16 LATINO POLICE OFFICERS SETTLES RACIAL DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT FOR $18 MILLION.
Just recently, a group of 16 police officers from the city of South Gate settled a lawsuit for racial discrimination and harassment. The lawsuit alleged that the group of police officers faced racial slurs, false internal affairs investigations, unfair discipline, and were passed up for promotions. The case was settled for $18 million.
Racial harassment is a serious issue in the workplace. The Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received over 33,900 allegations of race-based discrimination in 2008. Under both California and federal law, it is illegal for an employer to discriminate against an employee on the basis of their race in relation to any of the terms and conditions of employment. “Terms and conditions” include things such as schedules, salary, title, vacation time, etc. “Race” is generally defined as a person’s ancestry or ethnic characteristics.
Not only is illegal for an employer to discriminate against a person because they are of a certain race, but it is also illegal for an employer to discriminate against a person because of their “color.” For example, this means that an employer may not favor a “light-complexioned” Latina individual with “Caucasian features” over someone with darker features. In addition, an employer may not discriminate against someone on the basis of their associations with people of a certain race.
If you have been a victim of racial discrimination, get help today. Call the experienced team of attorneys at Greenberg & Rudman LLP. You can reach us at 1-800-ALAWPRO or 1-800-252-9776 for a free consultation. You can also visit us at www.discriminationattorney.com to learn more. We can help you stand up for your rights.
