Florida National Origin Discrimination Attorneys

National origin discrimination was one of the original “suspect classifications” from the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Unfortunately, employers still use national origin to harass and discriminate against certain employees today.

Since its founding in 2001, Wenzel Fenton Cabassa, P.A. has helped thousands of workers stand up to their employers for the discrimination they have faced. Our attorneys are committed to providing clients with diligent, aggressive, and ethical representation. We have decades of experience handling sensitive and complex employment discrimination cases. 

If you have experienced unequal treatment based on your national origin, our national origin discrimination attorneys can help.

Understanding National Origin Discrimination

In the original language of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, national origin was listed with race, color, religion, and sex. The term also appears in the Florida Civil Rights Act.  

As originally formulated, these laws prohibited discrimination against someone based on their country of birth or ancestral origins. These prohibitions have become significant because “national origin” has expanded to cover new forms of discrimination. Specifically, “national origin” includes characteristics like ethnicity, language, accent, or appearance that are interchangeable with national origin.

The line between national origin and race discrimination is blurry. Some simple examples include treating workers or job applicants differently based on the following:

• A person with a Chinese surname
• An applicant or worker who speaks Spanish or has a Spanish accent
• Someone wearing a hijab or turban

In all these cases, the employer impermissibly used a proxy for national origin to discriminate among people.

National Origin Discrimination in the Workplace

Civil rights laws prohibit employers from using national origin to determine a person’s terms or conditions of employment. Some ways discrimination can manifest in a workplace include:

• Job listings
• Hiring
• Promotions
• Pay and pay raises
• Training
• Job assignments
• Termination

The law also prohibits any facially impartial policy that has a disparate impact on people of certain national origins. For example, a policy banning hats might discriminate against Sikhs, Jews, and Muslims. Similarly, an English-only policy discriminates against those raised in Spanish-speaking households or countries.

Our team can gather evidence to prove what you experienced and, more importantly, how it relates to your national origin. We use this evidence to fight for justice and fair financial compensation.

Benefits of Hiring a National Origin Discrimination Attorney

Fortunately, we have decades of experience gathering evidence to prove national origin discrimination in Florida. Over thousands of cases, we have learned exactly what evidence and legal arguments to make to effectively support your discrimination claims. We use this information to advocate for the relief you deserve, such as compensation for your losses and expenses.

Our firm’s national origin discrimination lawyers can also fight to settle your case. Many cases never reach a judge or jury. Instead, we try to resolve your case quickly and fairly so you can move on with your career. If settlement negotiations fail, we can proceed to prove your case at trial.

The Legal Process Explained

Wenzel Fenton Cabassa, P.A. provides comprehensive advice and support at every step of the legal process.

Initial Consultation

During your initial consultation, we listen to your story, analyze your legal options, and ask questions to understand what happened. Then, we apply the law to your situation, explain your rights, and discuss the steps we can take. Finally, we learn about your goals and explore the remedies we can pursue based on them. Our team includes experienced attorneys ready to assist you.

Investigation

Your national origin discrimination attorney gathers evidence to support your case. This evidence might include:

• Employment records
• Communications, including electronic messages
• Photos or videos
• Statements from co-workers who witnessed what happened
• Statements from whistleblowers

The evidence helps us develop and support our arguments to prove your treatment was based on discrimination and not some other reason.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Charge

Federal civil rights laws require that workers file a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) before we can pursue a lawsuit. 

Lawsuit

Many cases never see a trial. Instead, they are resolved at the EEOC level. If we offer you a litigation contract and you choose to file a lawsuit, we can prepare the pleadings and aggressively seek evidence from your employer during discovery. 

Proven Success in Discrimination Cases

We have a long track record of success in cases of national origin discrimination. For instance, we recently secured $25,000 for an employee of Middle Eastern origin who was ridiculed and terminated. We also obtained $45,000 for an employee discriminated against due to his national origin.  These are just a couple of examples of the countless national origin claims we have handled at our firm.  

Your Rights, Our Commitment

No one should experience national origin employment discrimination, and we are committed advocates for those who have. We have extensive experience with discrimination cases and stand ready to defend your civil rights and ensure justice on your behalf. Contact our Florida National Origin Discrimination Lawyers today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

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