KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

This edition of “Rights Facts” focuses on racial discrimination in the workplace. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the federal statute that prohibits discrimination in the workplace. It prohibits the maintenance of a racially or sexually hostile work environment and also prohibits discrimination in the application process, hiring, termination, promotion, compensation, job training, or any other term or condition of employment.

Title VII protects individuals who are discriminated against in the workplace because of Race and Color as well as National Origin, Sex, or Religion.

Thousands of lawsuits are filed every year by victims of workplace discrimination. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), 35% of all employment discrimination charges it received in 2001, were race-based charges. Of the total 80,840 charges filed, 28,912 were race-based. Race-based charges continue to be the largest single category of charges filed with the agency. Note: This alarming number of race-based charges includes those brought by individuals alleging denial of promotions, job steering and other forms of employment discrimination.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against in violation of Title VII, should contact an attorney as soon as possible. NOTE: The time limitation for filing a charge with EEOC is 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination.

Forms Of Relief That May Be Available:
•Hiring
•Promotion
•Reinstatement
•Back pay
•Damages to compensate for past out-of-pocket losses, emotional harm or inconvenience
•Attorney fees

Prepared by the Mississippi Workers' Center for Human Rights Training Component.

For More Information Call: LaToya Davis, Program Associate at 662-334-1122
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