Employees have the right to work in an environment free from racial discrimination, including mistreatment from customers or clients.
Indiana state and federal laws, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, protect employees from discriminatory behavior, whether it comes from coworkers, supervisors, or external parties like clients.
Employer responsibilities
Employers must address racial discrimination in the workplace, regardless of its source. If a customer or client engages in discriminatory behavior, the employer must take reasonable steps to stop it. This might include reassigning the employee, speaking with the customer, or implementing policies that protect workers. Failure to act can make the employer liable for allowing a hostile work environment.
Reporting discrimination
Employees facing racial discrimination should report the behavior to their employer as soon as possible. Indiana’s statute of limitations makes it imperative that you report within 180 days of the occurrence.
Most companies have procedures for handling discrimination complaints. Indiana law requires employers to investigate such complaints promptly and thoroughly. Keeping detailed records of incidents can help employees support their claims.
Filing a complaint
If an employer does not adequately address the issue, employees can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Indiana Civil Rights Commission. These organizations investigate claims of racial discrimination and can resolve the issue. In some cases, employees may also pursue legal action to seek damages.
Creating respectful workplaces
Stopping racial discrimination requires a commitment from both employers and employees. Employers must create policies that prevent discrimination and hold customers or clients accountable for their actions. Employees should feel supported when speaking up about discriminatory behavior. Together, these efforts build safer and more inclusive workplaces.