The California Supreme Court has refused car manufacturer Tesla’s petition to review or halt a workplace racial discrimination case filed against it. In doing this, the justices upheld a lower court’s decision to permit the plaintiffs to sue Tesla instead of being forced into arbitration.
Additionally, in a first for the state, the decision upheld the public injunction forcing Tesla to modify its treatment of workers by acknowledging and addressing discrimination within its workplaces. This is the first time the California Fair Employment and House Act (FEHA) has been used to justify such a ruling.
The case was originally filed on behalf of two Black former employees. The plaintiffs alleged the company had subjected them to unjust discrimination and hostile workplaces by permitting unchecked racial harassment at one of its California manufacturing plants. The Supreme Court ruling allows these workers to pursue fair compensation in public court while requiring Tesla to actively address racism company-wide.
The entire case has been a series of wins for workers’ right to freedom from discriminatory treatment in California. Here’s how to tell if you’re being discriminated against at work and how to take a stand.
Are You Experiencing Illegal Racial Discrimination at Work?
Under federal and state law, it is illegal to discriminate or harass someone at work because of their race, ethnicity, or national origin. Discrimination is defined as treating someone differently because of a protected trait or class. Many behaviors can fall under this umbrella, including:
- Denying you a job or promotion in favor of someone of another race with fewer qualifications
- Paying you less than people of other races for the same work
- Making inappropriate comments about your race
- Telling malicious jokes about your race or racial stereotypes
- Only enforcing certain rules for you and not people of other races
- Segregating the workplace
If any of these issues sound familiar, you may be experiencing racial discrimination under FEHA and the Civil Rights Act.
What to Do If You’re Struggling With Workplace Discrimination
No one should have to suffer from racial bias at work. If you’re being harassed or losing opportunities because of your race, you can take a stand like Tesla employees.
The first step is to consult a proven California discrimination lawyer. Your attorney will provide invaluable legal counsel as you decide whether to file a claim and hold your employer accountable for violating your rights. You can begin by reaching out to Alexander Morrison + Fehr LLP. Our skilled attorneys are available to represent you no matter what type of workplace discrimination you may face. Call or email our San Francisco discrimination law firm to learn more about how we can help you take a stand against racism at your workplace.