Racial Discrimination Attorneys in Rochester, NY

What Does Workplace Racial Discrimination Look Like?

Racial discrimination in the workplace isn’t just wrong, it’s exhausting and dehumanizing. Maybe it’s obvious like someone making offensive comments about your race or skin color. Or maybe it’s subtle like being passed over for a promotion you earned or getting paid less than coworkers doing the same job. Either way, it’s not okay, and it’s not legal.

Our Rochester attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, know that you shouldn’t have to feel like you’re walking on eggshells at work just because of who you are. In Rochester, where people from all walks of life work side by side, discrimination has no place. Employers are supposed to ensure workplaces are fair and free from bias. When the employers fail, that’s where we come in. Discrimination might look like this:

• Hostile work environments: Think racial slurs, offensive jokes, or being constantly excluded from important conversations. It’s the kind of behavior that makes you dread walking through the door.
• Unequal pay and opportunities: Did you know Black workers in New York earn only 73 cents for every dollar white workers make? That’s not just unfair—it’s systemic inequality.
• Retaliation: Speaking up takes courage, but what happens when your boss starts treating you differently—or worse, fires you—because you reported discrimination?

When Racial Harassment at Work Feels Like a Nightmare

Racial harassment can turn your workday into something you just want to survive. You shouldn’t have to put up with nasty comments, cruel jokes, or being left out on purpose. And yet, so many people do—because they don’t know what else to do. If that’s you, here’s how to fight back:

• Document Everything: Keep track of the details—who said what, when it happened, and where you were. Even if it feels small, write it down. It could make all the difference.
• Speak Up: Report the harassment to HR or your manager. Your employer is required to investigate and fix the problem. If they don’t, they’re breaking the law.
• Get Legal Help: If your complaints are ignored—or worse, if you’re punished for speaking out—an attorney can help you figure out your next steps.

Seeking racial harassment legal assistance can give you the support you need to take action.

Your Right to Stand Up to Racial Bias Workplaces

Racial bias in the workplace isn’t just bad behaviour—it’s a violation of your rights. And whether you know it or not, you’ve got powerful laws on your side. Here’s the breakdown:

• Federal Protections: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal for employers with 15 or more workers to discriminate based on race, color, or national origin.
• State-Level Back-Up: The New York State Human Rights Law has your back, too. It covers businesses with as few as four employees and even bans discrimination based on hairstyles linked to your race.

If your employer is holding you back, treating you unfairly, or retaliating against you, a Rochester employment law attorney can help you assert your legal protections.

The Clock Is Ticking: Don’t Wait to Take Action

There is something you might not realize: you don’t have forever to file a claim for racial discrimination. Federal law gives you 300 days to submit a complaint to the EEOC if your state offers its own protections (like New York does). Miss that deadline, and you could lose your chance to fight for what’s right.

Time moves fast, especially when you’re juggling work, life, and the emotional toll of discrimination. That’s why it’s so important to act now. The sooner you do, the stronger your case can be.

Racial Inequality Costs More Than You Think

Discrimination doesn’t just hurt your career—it chips away at your sense of self-worth. It affects your finances, your mental health, and your ability to thrive. When talented, hardworking people are held back because of their race, it’s a loss for everyone.

We don’t just focus on compensation (though you deserve every penny). We focus on accountability. We offer equal employment opportunity litigation services to make sure employers don’t just pay for what they’ve done—they learn from it.

When Retaliation Comes Knocking, We’ll Fight Back

Standing up to discrimination is tough enough. Getting punished for it? That’s downright wrong. Retaliation can look like being suddenly demoted, losing hours, or even getting fired. And sadly, it happens more often than you’d think—over half of the workplace discrimination claims filed in 2022 included retaliation.

The good news is that the law protects you. Employers who retaliate against you for reporting discrimination are breaking the law, plain and simple. We’ll make sure you’re not silenced.

The Legal Team That Truly Cares

Racial discrimination isn’t just a legal issue—it’s deeply personal. It’s about respect, dignity, and your right to be treated as an equal. We don’t just take on cases. We take on the fight for your future.

We’ve helped people all across Rochester hold employers accountable and reclaim their confidence. Let our racial discrimination attorney help you take the next step. You don’t have to face this alone. 

Reach out to Horn Wright, LLP, today for a free consultation, and hire one of the best law firms in America. Let’s start this fight together.