Guide to Race Discrimination Law

Racial discrimination in business leads to problems with worker relationships and costly lawsuits. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employers are responsible for preventing bias or prejudice to any individual of any race, color or ethnic group. Racial discrimination laws apply to most businesses that employ 15 or more individuals, and as a small business owner, you cannot afford to ignore its potential impact.

Race discrimination in business divides company loyalties, affects workplace productivity and can be an embarrassing issue for your company that interferes with your business. In addition, strict state laws are usually in place to protect employees from racial discrimination when on the job. Understanding racial discrimination laws are the best way to prevent discrimination in all steps of hiring and employment. Remember these main points:

1. Learn about racial discrimination laws

2. Create policies that address business racial discrimination

3. Train all employees and document any race discrimination claims

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Include an anti-discrimination policy in your employee handbook

Use the employee handbook to explain to employees and managers what actions are discriminatory. An employee handbook and policies provide a basis for handling and addressing complaints of racial discrimination. Include a policy against retaliation in your employee handbook and have it read by racial discrimination lawyers.

I recommend: Use onsite workshops on diversity from Business Training Media to foster respect in the workplace. See a sample anti-discrimination policy at HR Stuff to use when writing your own.

Train all employees to prevent race discrimination in business

The key to avoiding racial discrimination is prevention. Teach racial sensitivity and diversity through workshops, seminars and other training tools. Handle all complaints in an appropriate manner to reduce your liability. Document your findings and get the services of racial discrimination lawyers early on to avoid making costly mistakes.

I recommend: Downloading an anti-discrimination checklist from Inc.com to investigate claims. Request a postable U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) fact sheet on racial discrimination for your company.

Obtain educational resources about racial discrimination in business

Racial discrimination on the job is illegal with federal and state laws in place to protect individuals. If your small business managers and employees are aware of discriminatory practices you can protect your company against legal action.

I recommend: Sign up and track the progress of multiple employees with online courses in diversity from SHRM e-Learning. Subscribe to online DiversityInc Magazine for best practices and guidance to handling workplace discrimination.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Though most individuals assume that the Race Discrimination Law only applies to minority groups, Caucasians have equal coverage under the law.
• Never retaliate on an employee for filing a complaint, even if the original complaint turns out to be unfounded, they could win a retaliation case.

The official source of Race Discrimination Law is
the Race Discrimination Law page at Business.com