What is Language Discrimination?

Language discrimination refers to the unfair treatment of an individual based on the language they speak or how they talk. This could be in regards to accents, size of vocabulary, and syntax. It could also involve an individual’s inability to use one language instead of another. Every individual has the right to a workplace free of discrimination and hostility, regardless of the language they speak. This type of discrimination generally involves preferring one language over another, but there are many exceptions to this. The factor that determines the illegality of it is whether or not the individual was fired, hired, or required to speak one language over another for discriminatory reasons.

Fighting Language Discrimination in the Workplace in NJ

Discrimination can come in a variety of different forms, some of which may be difficult to recognize at first. Individuals who suspect that they may have been victims of national origin discrimination should contact a skilled employment discrimination lawyer as soon as possible. Having the right legal counsel early on can help properly establish a claim, even before a complaint is filed.

From our offices in Red Bank, NJ, Marlton, NJ, Newark, NJ, New York, NY, and Philadelphia, PA , McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. represents both employees and employers throughout the state in a wide range of employment discrimination matters, including language discrimination. Our discrimination attorneys will provide you with a clear and candid evaluation of any potential claims, as well as all legal options available to you.

Types Of Language Discrimination

Teasing or harassing an employee due to their accent or fluency in English is illegal. Additionally, discriminating against an employee on those grounds, even if it does not create a hostile work environment by the definition of the law, may give rise to a discrimination claim.

• English-only Rules. These rules are generally regarded as discriminatory because they have the potential to limit an individual’s employment opportunities and may contribute to an atmosphere of intimidation and isolation. However, English-only rules may be permissible if the employer can demonstrate that the rule is a business necessity.
• English fluency. This can only affect one’s employment if it is required for the performance of the position.
• Accent discrimination. Teasing, harassing, or making an employment decision based on an employee’s or job applicant’s accent, when it does not affect the ability to perform a job, is discriminatory and therefore illegal.

The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination Prohibits Language Discrimination In The Workplace

In New Jersey, it is illegal for an employer to discriminate against an employee due to their national origin or ethnicity, which includes language. The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) provides protections for employees and job applicants who are victims of unfair treatment based on their national origin, language, color, race, nationality, ancestry, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, or genetic information.

Harassment In The Workplace Due To Language Discrimination

Harassment in the workplace is illegal and defined as any offensive conduct that creates a hostile work environment. This includes, but is not limited to, ethnic slurs based on language, derogatory remarks, teasing, and other verbal or physical conduct that makes an employee uncomfortable to the extent of impeding upon their job functions. The party responsible for the harassment can be any manager or supervisor in a company, a coworker, or even a client or customer.

Common Examples Of Discrimination

Language discrimination in the workplace can cover a broad spectrum of activity specifically targeting employees of a certain nationality, including:

• Termination or Demotion
• Failure to Recruit or Hire
• Differential Treatment or Pay
• Withholding Training, Promotions or Career Advancement
• Being Subjected to Harassment or Increased Scrutiny
• The Existence of a Hostile Work Environment with Severe and Pervasive Harassment
• Terminating or Disciplining an Employee in Retaliation for Making a Complaint

Language Discrimination Statistics

According to the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commision (EEOC), 9.6% of the complaints they received (7,009 cases) for employment discrimination in 2019 involved national origin, which usually correlates to language discrimination.

21.5% of U.S residents speak a foreign language at home, which includes 31% of New York and New Jersey residents. It’s important to know that if you have been subjected to language discrimination at the workplace that you are protected under the law.

Representing Employers In Language Discrimination Cases

Employers are responsible for creating a workplace atmosphere where language discrimination is not encouraged or tolerated. The most important thing for employers is to take proactive measures to prevent, investigate, address, and defend any possible claims of discrimination. Employers facing accusations of discrimination must work closely with lawyers who can develop the strongest possible defenses to these claims. Our firm represents a wide range of employers to defend language discrimination claims.

An NJ Language Discrimination Lawyer Can Help You

Before filing a complaint under the NJLAD or federal law, employees who feel they have been the victim of language discrimination should contact McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. first to discuss your rights and options.

Every person should be respected and feel safe while at their place of work. If you have worked in a hostile work environment or suffered discrimination in the workplace because of your ethnicity or language, call our Red Bank, NJ, Marlton, NJ, Newark, NJ, New York, NY, or Philadelphia, PA  office or contact us online today for a free consultation. We will discuss your rights and options, which may include internal complaints or a lawsuit, and help you every step of the way in seeking justice for unlawful workplace discrimination.