In other words, a covered employer may not treat its employees less favorably because they are from a particular country or part of the world, because of ethnicity or accent, or because they appear to be of a certain ethnic background (even if they are not).

Employers also may not permit a hostile work environment to exist for persons of different national origins or perceived national origins through the use of derogatory comments, jokes, slurs or epithets.

Particular forms of national origin discrimination may include, but are not limited to:

• terminating employment because of the employee’s accent
• requiring English only as a condition of employment
• refusing to hire an employee because the employee’s surname is of a particular ethnicity or national origin
• paying a person of a different national origin less than their counterparts

Discrimination against employees on the basis of their accent, primary language, surname, ancestry, culture or other characteristics of national origin or ethnicity must be challenged.  If you believe you are being, or have been discriminated against on the basis of your national origin, contact the law firm of Henrichsen Siegel, P.L.L.C. right away for a consultation.