Belleville Race Discrimination Attorneys

Were You Discriminated Against at Work?

Race discrimination remains one of the most harmful and common forms of workplace injustice across the nation, including in Illinois. Furthermore, while anyone can experience race-based mistreatment, it disproportionately affects BIPOC and AAPI workers.

At Sedey Harper Westhoff, we believe everyone deserves a fair chance to build a stable and fulfilling career, free from harmful bias. With more than 75 years of combined experience, we proudly fight for workers who have been denied equal treatment because of their race, color, ancestry or ethnic background.

Why workers choose Sedey Harper Westhoff:

• Decades of employment law experience serving workers from all backgrounds
• Proven record of handling complex discrimination cases
• Reputation for compassion, honesty, and straightforward communication
• Commitment to advancing fairness and equal opportunity for all Illinois workers

Call us today at (314) 819-0963 or contact us online to speak with a Belleville race discrimination attorney who will stand up for your rights.

What Is Race Discrimination?

Race discrimination occurs when an employer treats you unfairly because of your race, color, ethnicity, ancestry or traits associated with your racial or cultural background. This type of discrimination can appear at every stage of employment, from hiring and job assignments to discipline, pay, and termination decisions. Illinois and federal laws strictly prohibit employers from making decisions based on race, and they protect workers from both explicit bias and subtle discriminatory practices. For many workers, especially BIPOC and AAPI workers who are statistically more likely to encounter racial discrimination, these unfair patterns often build up over time and become impossible to ignore.

Common Types of Race Discrimination

Race discrimination is not always obvious or openly expressed. In many workplaces, it shows up in patterns of unequal treatment, exclusion, or biased assumptions about workers of certain races. These experiences can interfere with your career growth, financial stability, and emotional well-being.

Common forms of race discrimination include:

• Unequal discipline or harsher penalties compared to coworkers of other races or cultural backgrounds
• Denying promotions or advancement opportunities to BIPOC or AAPI employees
• Racially motivated comments, slurs, or “jokes” that leadership ignores
• Favoring workers of a different racial background for desirable tasks or schedules
• Stereotyping or making assumptions about a worker’s abilities
• Excluding certain employees from projects, trainings, or meetings
• Retaliation after reporting race-based harassment or bias
• Unequal pay compared to coworkers performing the same job

Even if an employer insists decisions were “business-related,” discriminatory motives can still be uncovered through a careful investigation.

What You Can Do If You Have Experienced Race Discrimination