Atlanta National Origin Discrimination Attorney

Where you were born, where you grew up, and the culture and language you carry with you have no place in an employer's hiring, firing, or workplace decisions. Federal and Georgia law are clear on this point, yet national origin discrimination remains a persistent and serious problem in workplaces across the state. It takes many forms, some obvious and some subtle, and it can affect every aspect of a person's employment from the moment they apply for a job to the day their employment ends.

Beal Sutherland Berlin & Brown represents employees throughout Georgia who have been treated unfairly because of their national origin. Our attorneys understand the federal and state laws that protect workers in these situations, and we bring the depth of experience and aggressive advocacy that these cases demand.

If you believe you have been discriminated against at work because of your national origin, call Beal Sutherland Berlin & Brown at (404) 476-5305 or contact us online to speak with an experienced Atlanta employment discrimination attorney.

Identifying Forms of National Origin Bias

National origin discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or job applicant differently because of their country of birth, ethnicity, ancestry, cultural background, or the national origin of their family members. It is prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which applies to employers with 15 or more employees, as well as under additional state and local protections that may apply depending on the circumstances.

National origin discrimination is not limited to direct, overt mistreatment. It can appear in performance evaluations, workplace assignments, disciplinary actions, pay decisions, and promotion decisions. 

Courts and the EEOC recognize a wide range of conduct as actionable national origin discrimination, including:

• Refusing to hire or promote someone because of their accent or perceived ethnicity
• Subjecting employees to different or harsher standards than their colleagues based on national origin
• Harassing an employee with slurs, offensive comments, or ridicule related to their background or heritage
• Denying benefits, raises, or opportunities that are extended to employees of other national origins
• Retaliating against an employee for complaining about national origin discrimination or participating in an investigation
• Enforcing language policies in ways that target employees based on national origin rather than legitimate business need

Beal Sutherland Berlin & Brown takes national origin discrimination cases seriously. Our attorneys know how to identify discrimination even when employers attempt to mask it behind performance concerns or neutral-sounding policies, and we have the litigation experience to hold them accountable.

Federal and State Laws That Protect You

The legal framework protecting employees from national origin discrimination is vast, and understanding which laws apply to your situation is an important first step. Multiple federal agencies and statutes may be relevant depending on your employer, your industry, and the nature of the discrimination you experienced.

The laws most commonly at play in national origin discrimination cases include:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on national origin in all aspects of employment and applies to private employers, state and local governments, and educational institutions with 15 or more employees
• The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which prohibits employment discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin for employers with four or more employees
• Executive Order 11246, which prohibits national origin discrimination by federal contractors and subcontractors
• The Equal Pay Act and other federal wage protections, which may apply when national origin discrimination manifests as pay disparity
• Georgia state law, which provides additional avenues for pursuing discrimination claims depending on the nature of the employer and the conduct involved

Understanding which laws apply and how to pursue a claim under each requires skilled legal analysis. Beal Sutherland Berlin & Brown evaluates every angle of your case to identify the strongest possible path forward and make sure no viable claim is overlooked.

Discuss Your National Origin Discrimination Case With Us Today

National origin discrimination strikes at something fundamental: the right to be judged on your abilities and contributions rather than your background. Employees who experience it often face not only professional but also personal harm, and they deserve attorneys who treat their case with the gravity it warrants.

Beal Sutherland Berlin & Brown has spent decades representing employees in complex discrimination cases throughout Georgia. We know the arguments employers make, the tactics they use to minimize or deny what happened, and how to counter them effectively. Our attorneys work closely with each client to understand the full picture of what they experienced and pursue every available remedy, including back pay, compensatory damages, reinstatement, and attorneys' fees.

Contact Beal Sutherland Berlin & Brown online or at (404) 476-5305 today to schedule your confidential case consultation with an Atlanta national origin discrimination attorney.