Discrimination based on a person’s race is illegal in Texas and violates both state and federal law.  Race discrimination may include the following:

Racial slurs;

Failing to hire an individual based on that individual’s race;

Denying an employee a pay raise or promotion based on that individual’s race;

Providing an employee with negative performance reviews based on that individual’s race;

A policy that has a greater negative impact on employees of a particular race;

Derogatory comments about a person’s race; or

Sending racist emails or displaying racist images on a computer screen or anywhere else at a place of employment.

State and federal law prohibit employers from retaliating against an employee who complains about race discrimination.  It is also illegal for an employer to discriminate against an employee because of that employee’s association with a person of a particular race.

A victim of race discrimination can be of any race.  The harasser can be any other employee that you work with, including a co-worker or supervisor.  If you believe that you have been discriminated against based on your race, it is important to complain internally to human resources or other individual(s) designated by your employer to handle employee complaints.  It is also important to document any and all events that you believe constitute race discrimination to best protect your rights.

There are certain time limitations for filing a complaint based on race discrimination.  Under state law, the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act, an individual must file a complaint no later than 180 days after the most recent occurrence of race discrimination.  Under federal law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, an individual must file a complaint no later than 300 days after the most recent occurrence of race discrimination.  Therefore, it is imperative that you contact a knowledgeable employment attorney as soon as practicable.