Racial discrimination at work means an employer treating an employee or a job applicant unfairly because of race, skin color, ethnicity, or perceived racial background. It can be blunt or it can be quiet, and either form is unlawful under federal and state law. What it looks like in practice varies: being denied a promotion despite stronger performance, earning less than coworkers of a different race in the same role, enduring racial slurs, jokes, or hostile comments, getting handed the least desirable assignments or left off team projects, facing harsher discipline than similarly situated employees, or being retaliated against after reporting bias.
Lead attorney on every case we take, backed by a dedicated legal team you work with directly.
Three statutes do most of the work here. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies to employers with 15 or more employees. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act reaches employers with 4 or more. The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination is one of the broadest civil rights laws in the country. Together they make it unlawful for an employer to discriminate in hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, training, fringe benefits, or any other term or condition of employment. A successful claim may produce back pay and lost wages, reinstatement or promotion, emotional distress damages, attorney's fees and costs, and in egregious cases punitive damages.
Most of these cases are won or lost on pretext. Employers rarely announce a discriminatory motive, so they offer a reason that sounds neutral instead. A termination for a performance issue that was never well documented, or that was applied inconsistently across racial lines, is a common example. Our work is finding the pattern underneath: comparing how similarly situated employees were treated, tracing retaliatory timing, and building the claim on evidence rather than impression. If you suspect discrimination, save emails, texts, performance reviews, and HR reports, report it internally in writing, and speak with an attorney, because strict deadlines apply.
Experienced Employment Attorneys Handling Racial Discrimination in the Workplace and Fighting for Workplace Equality
No one should be treated differently at work because of their race. At Freundlich & Littman, LLC, we represent employees in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey who have experienced racial discrimination on the job. For more than a decade, we’ve helped people who were singled out, pushed aside, or punished because of race take steps to protect themselves and hold their employers accountable.
Our employment attorneys have handled cases involving racial bias, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination. We’ve represented thousands of employees across a wide range of industries, including cases that were complex, hard-fought, and deeply personal for the people involved. Whether you were passed over for opportunities, subjected to offensive comments, treated differently than coworkers, or let go under unfair circumstances, our team can help you understand your options and decide what to do next.
Examples of Racial Discrimination:
Being denied a promotion despite superior performance due to race
Receiving lower wages than coworkers of a different race in the same role
Enduring racial slurs, jokes, or hostile comments
Being assigned less desirable tasks or excluded from team projects
Facing harsher discipline compared to similarly situated employees
Retaliation after reporting racial bias or harassment
How the Law Protects You
You are protected from racial discrimination under the following statutes:
Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) (applies to employers with 4+ employees)
New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) (one of the broadest civil rights laws in the country)
These laws make it unlawful for employers to discriminate in hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, training, fringe benefits, or any other term or condition of employment.
Recognizing Subtle Discrimination & Pretext
Not all discrimination is obvious. Employers often offer “pretextual” reasons to cover their unlawful motives. For example, if an employee is terminated for a “performance issue” that is not well-documented or applied inconsistently across racial lines, it may be a cover for discrimination.
Our attorneys are skilled at uncovering patterns of bias, identifying retaliatory motives, and building strong, evidence-backed claims.
What To Do If You’ve Experienced Racial Discrimination
If you suspect discrimination, take these steps immediately:
Document everything – Save emails, texts, performance reviews, and HR reports.
Report it internally – Notify your employer in writing through HR or a supervisor.
Speak with an attorney – Don’t wait to seek legal advice. Strict deadlines may apply.
At Freundlich & Littman, we offer confidential consultations and can help you assess whether your rights have been violated.
Our Proven Track Record
We have helped clients in Philadelphia, Camden, Trenton, Cherry Hill, and throughout the tri-state area recover substantial damages for racial discrimination. Our attorneys have litigated:
Claims against Fortune 500 employers for race-based termination
Hostile work environment claims involving racial slurs and threats
Discriminatory hiring practices in corporate and government roles
Lawsuits for retaliation following internal complaints about racism
Compensation for Racial Discrimination Victims
If successful, a racial discrimination claim may result in:
Back pay and lost wages
Reinstatement or promotion
Emotional distress damages
Punitive damages in egregious cases
Attorney’s fees and costs
Speak With an Attorney Today
If you’ve faced racial discrimination in the workplace, time may be limited to take legal action. Call us today for a free, confidential case evaluation.
📞 Call Now: 215-545-8500 📨 Info@fandllaw.com
Serving Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Camden, Trenton, and the Entire Tri-State Area.
