Companies, supervisors, and employees are forbidden from treating employees differently based on their:
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Color
- National origin
- Ancestry
Race is typically categorized into five groups:
- American Indian or Alaska Native
- Asian
- Black or African American
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
- White
Ethnicity can be a subdivision of a race, such as “White,” further sub-dividing into “Hispanic” or “Latino.”
National origin refers to an employee’s place of birth. Ancestry refers to the place of birth of that employee’s parents, grandparents, or others.
In practice, these terms are flexible and fluid. To a large extent, individuals, not the federal government, self-identify their race, color, and ancestry.
If you are wondering if a particular behavior counts as “racial discrimination,” then it probably does. Be sure to refer to your company’s policies and always remember to treat others as you would like to be treated.