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National Origin Discrimination

Everyone Deserves Respect—No Matter Where They Come From

Employees have the right to be treated fairly regardless of their birthplace, ancestry, culture, language, or accent. Discrimination based on national origin is illegal, yet workers across many industries face unfair treatment, harassment, and retaliation simply because of their heritage or perceived background.
We represent employees who have been discriminated against due to their national origin or ethnic background. If your employer has treated you unfairly because of where you’re from—or where they think you’re from—we’re here to help you assert your rights.

What Is National Origin Discrimination?

National origin discrimination occurs when an employer treats an applicant or employee unfavorably because of:
  • Their country of origin or ancestry.
  • Their name, accent, or native language.
  • Cultural practices or mannerisms.
  • Their appearance or ethnicity.
  • Their perceived national origin.
Examples of unlawful behavior include:
  • Refusing to hire someone because of their accent or foreign-sounding name.
  • Making jokes or offensive comments about a person’s nationality.
  • Requiring English-only policies without business justification.
  • Assigning less desirable shifts or duties based on national origin
  • Disciplining or terminating workers because of national or ethnic background.
  • Retaliating against someone for reporting national origin discrimination.
Discrimination can occur even when the victim and harasser are of the same national origin.

Harassment Based on National Origin

National origin harassment becomes unlawful when it creates a hostile, offensive, or intimidating work environment. Common forms include:
  • Mocking accents or language ability.
  • Using slurs or derogatory names.
  • Insulting someone's culture or traditions.
  • Making assumptions based on stereotypes.
  • Excluding workers from meetings or projects because of ethnicity.
An employer who knows (or should know) about the harassment has a legal duty to stop it. Failure to act can lead to liability.
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Legal Protections for Workers

Employees are protected from national origin discrimination under both federal and state law:

  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on national origin and requires employers to treat all workers equally regardless of cultural background. It applies to employers with 15 or more employees, and also protects against harassment and retaliation.
  • Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA): The PHRA mirrors federal protections and applies to employers with as few as four employees. It also offers state-level remedies for national origin discrimination and harassment.

You Don’t Have to Tolerate Discrimination Based on Your Heritage

Discrimination and harassment based on your origin can be painful and isolating—but you don’t have to endure it in silence. We’ll help you hold your employer accountable and work toward justice.

If you’ve experienced national origin discrimination, contact us today for a free case evaluation.

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