Race Discrimination
Being paid less, passed over, or pushed out because of your race is illegal — even when the employer never says it out loud. If it’s happening to you, we can help you prove it.
Get free case review
What is race discrimination?
Race discrimination happens when an employer treats a worker worse because of their race, color, or ethnicity. It can affect hiring, pay, promotions, discipline, or firing — and it’s often subtle rather than openly stated. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and state law make it illegal, whether it’s intentional or built into a policy.
Race discrimination isn’t always a slur or an openly racist remark. More often, it’s a pattern you start to notice over time.
How race discrimination shows up at work
-
You train someone who then gets promoted over you
-
Your mistakes get written up while others’ get overlooked
-
You’re steered toward certain roles, shifts, or locations and away from others
-
Your name or hair or the way you speak becomes a running “joke”
-
The discipline always seems harsher when it’s you
-
You’re the first considered for layoffs and the last for raises
Federal and state protections
What the law says about race discrimination
Federal
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, and ethnicity. It applies to employers with 15 or more employees and covers hiring, pay, promotions, discipline, and firing. Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 also prohibits race discrimination in employment contracts, with no employer-size minimum.
Minnesota
The Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) prohibits race discrimination and applies to employers with one or more employees — broader coverage than federal law.
Learn moreIllinois
The Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) prohibits race discrimination and applies to employers with one or more employees.
Learn moreNot sure which law applies to your situation? That’s what we figure out with you.
What a race discrimination case can recover, if your case is successful:
- Back pay for wages you lost
- Front pay for future wages
- Reinstatement to your job (if that’s what you want)
- Compensation for emotional distress
- Punitive damages against the employer (in serious cases)
- Attorney’s fees and costs
Every case is different. What you can recover depends on the facts, the law, and the employer’s conduct.
How we handle race discrimination cases
Every case starts with a free call. We listen first. If you have a case, we tell you what it looks like — what’s likely to happen, how long it might take, what’s realistic. If you don’t have a case, we tell you that too and try to point you toward someone who can help.
On contingency, you pay nothing unless we win.
Attorneys who handle these cases
Meet the full team
Shawn Wanta
Founding Partner
Recognized among the nation’s Top 100 Civil Plaintiff and Top 10 Wage and Hour attorneys, a determined litigator fighting for workers in class and collective actions.
Admitted in MN · IL
Joni Thome
Founding Partner
Drawing on 25 years of representing professionals and managers, a steady advocate for employees facing discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace.
Admitted in MN
Suzanne Heywood
Attorney
Driven by her own encounters with corporate unfairness, a tenacious champion focused on protecting the rights, livelihoods, and futures of hardworking professionals.
Admitted in IN · IL · MI
Luke Molvarec
Attorney
Forged by his background as a Marine, an unwavering defender fighting to level the playing field and secure meaningful financial recovery for unfairly treated workers.
Admitted in IL
Common questions about race discrimination
-
How do I prove race discrimination if my employer never said anything racist?
Most race discrimination is proven through patterns, not statements. Evidence includes being treated worse than coworkers of other races, disparities in pay or discipline, shifting explanations for decisions, and statistical patterns. You rarely need a “smoking gun” — circumstantial evidence, documented carefully, is how most cases are built.
-
Is it race discrimination if the person treating me unfairly is the same race as me?
It can be. The law focuses on whether you were treated worse because of race, not on the race of the person doing it. Discrimination claims have succeeded even when the decision-maker shared the same racial background as the person harmed.
-
Can I be discriminated against for my hairstyle?
Increasingly, yes. Discrimination based on natural hair and protective styles associated with race is recognized as race discrimination under a growing number of state laws and federal guidance. If you were penalized for hair tied to your race or ethnicity, it’s worth looking into.
-
What’s the difference between race and national origin discrimination?
Race discrimination is based on race, color, or ethnicity. National origin discrimination is based on where you or your ancestors come from — your birthplace, accent, or heritage. They overlap often, and a single situation can involve both. We help sort out which claims apply.
-
Can I be fired for complaining about race discrimination?
No. Retaliation for reporting race discrimination is illegal, whether or not the original complaint is ultimately proven. If your employer punished you for speaking up, that’s a separate violation that can strengthen your overall case.
Ready to find out where you stand?
Five fields, no story needed yet — that comes on the follow-up call. Most people hear back within five minutes if Nina is enabled, or the same business day if not.
Your submission is confidential. We do not contact your employer.
Common questions
How much is a race discrimination case worth?
It depends on what you lost and how the employer acted. Recovery can include back pay, future pay, emotional distress damages, punitive damages in serious cases, and attorney’s fees. Every case is different, and we’ll give you an honest assessment once we understand the facts.
How long do I have to file a race discrimination claim?
Deadlines can be as short as 180 or 300 days for federal claims, with different timelines under state law. Because the clock starts early, it’s best to talk to someone as soon as you can so you don’t lose the right to act.
Do I need to file with the EEOC first?
For most federal race discrimination claims, yes — you generally file with the EEOC or the state agency before suing. State-law claims sometimes work differently. We handle this step for you and make sure it’s filed correctly and on time.
Do I need a lawyer for a race discrimination claim?
You can file on your own, but these cases get complex fast — deadlines, evidence, agency procedures, and employer defenses. A lawyer helps you avoid mistakes that can weaken your claim, and on contingency, it costs you nothing upfront.
Can I still have a case if I’m still employed?
Yes. Discrimination isn’t only about being fired. If you’re being paid less, passed over, disciplined more harshly, or treated worse because of your race while still on the job, you may have a claim.