Your story matters, and your voice deserves to be heard. Racial discrimination at work isn’t just wrong, it’s illegal.
If you have faced racial slurs, unfair discipline, or were fired after reporting discrimination while working in Hollywood, Florida, you do not have to tolerate it. Whether the discrimination occurred in a Hollywood Beach hotel, a Memorial Healthcare System facility, a restaurant near Young Circle, a retail store along Sheridan Street, or at another Broward County business, Kaplan Employment Law is ready to fight for you. Our Hollywood employment attorneys focus on holding private employers accountable.
If your employer ignored your complaint or retaliated against you, we will stand with you and pursue the justice you deserve. We’ve helped employees across Florida, including those in Hollywood, take action against workplace discrimination and recover compensation. Let us help you do the same.
What Is Racial Discrimination in the Workplace?
Racial discrimination in the workplace occurs when an employer treats an employee unfavorably because of their race or takes adverse action that impacts pay, hours, job duties, or employment status. This type of discrimination, known as disparate treatment, is illegal under federal and Florida law.
This type of discrimination, known as disparate treatment, is illegal under federal, Florida and Broward County law. Disparate treatment focuses on employment decisions motivated by illegal animus (hostility toward your race), not just general verbal harassment or simply being treated unfairly.
Hollywood workers experience these forms of discrimination in hospitality and tourism jobs, healthcare settings, retail, and transportation throughout Broward County.
Examples of Racial Disparate Treatment in the Workplace
A key component of an illegal racial discrimination claim is demonstrating that the employer’s adverse action (such as firing or demotion) was motivated by a discriminatory intent. This is often proven by comparing your treatment to that of a “similarly situated” employee outside of your racial or ethnic protected class.
Harsher Discipline
Employees of one race receive more severe consequences than others for the same conduct.
Examples that commonly occur in Hollywood include:
- A Black hotel employee is written up for being late on one occasion, while a white employee who who is late on one occasion receives no discipline.
- A Hispanic employee working in a restaurant near Young Circle is suspended for a first-time mistake, but employees of other races only receive verbal warnings for the same conduct.
Unjustified Termination
Racially discriminatory firings are common across retail, hospitality, healthcare, and service industries in Hollywood. For example, a more experienced Haitian American warehouse worker in a Hollywood industrial district is terminated for a mistake, while a white coworker who made the same error keeps their job.
Unequal Pay Based on Race
Some Hollywood employers illegally pay workers differently based on their race, even when they perform the same job. For example, Haitian American workers at a service company are paid less per hour than white employees with the same title, duties, and experience.
Racial Harassment and Hostile Work Environment
This occurs when race-based slurs, jokes, or symbols (like swastikas or nooses) are so severe or pervasive that they create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment. Racial harassment violates the law when management is aware of or should be aware of it and fails to take action.
Laws Protecting Hollywood Workers from Racial Discrimination in Florida
Federal and state laws protect Hollywood employees from racial discrimination, including:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII): The primary federal law prohibiting employment discrimination based on race, color, and national origin.
- Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA): Mirrors Title VII under state law.
- The Broward County Human Rights Act: Provides the same protections under Title VII and the FCRA, but allows for suits against employers with 5-14 employees.
- Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 (Section 1981): A federal law that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, and national origin. Section 1981 also provides individual liability against supervisor who make racial slurs or discipline or terminate employees because of their protected class.
These laws protect workers across all industries in Hollywood and Broward County.
How to Prove a Disparate Treatment Racial Discrimination Claim
Proving racial discrimination requires demonstrating that an illegal animus—and not a legitimate business reason—motivated the adverse action.
To establish a strong case, you must generally show:
- You belong to a protected class (based on race, color, or national origin).
- You were qualified for the job.
- You suffered an adverse employment action (e.g., termination, reduced hours).
- A similarly situated employee of another race was treated more favorably.
What Evidence Can Prove Racial Discrimination in Florida?
Strong racial discrimination cases in Hollywood often rely on evidence such as:
- Comparators showing employees of other races were not disciplined or terminated for similar conduct.
- Racially charged remarks or slurs made by decision-makers or supervisors.
- Pay disparity records showing unequal compensation for the same work.
- Emails, text messages, slack messages, or internal notes indicating racial bias or stereotypes.
- Positive performance reviews that contradict the employer’s justification for firing or demotion.
- Witness testimony from coworkers who observed discriminatory behavior in Hollywood workplaces.
Steps to Take If You Experience Racial Discrimination at Work
1. Document Every Immediately
Write down each discriminatory action, including dates, details, and how coworkers of other races were treated in similar situations.
2. Collect Relevant Communications
Save text messages, emails, performance reviews, scheduling decisions, or disciplinary documents.
3. File an Internal Complaint
Follow your employer’s internal complaint process and use the phrase “racial discrimination.” Doing so protects you from retaliation.
4. Speak with a Racial Discrimination Attorney
An attorney can help you evaluate your case and hold your employer accountable. Kaplan Employment Law fights for Hollywood workers across all industries.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Racial Discrimination Case?
If you succeed in your racial discrimination claim against a Hollywood employer, compensation may include:
- Back Pay and Lost Wages: Recovery of lost earnings, benefits, and future lost wages.
- Emotional Distress: Compensation for the mental and emotional suffering caused by the discrimination and hostile environment.
- Punitive Damages: Awarded when the employer’s misconduct is proven to be malicious or reckless.
- Attorney’s Fees and Costs: The employer may be required to pay your legal expenses if you win at trial.
FAQs about Racial Discrimination in Florida
What qualifies as racial discrimination in the workplace?
Discrimination occurs when an employer makes decisions about hiring, discipline, pay, job
Can I have a case if my employer claims they fired me for poor performance?
Yes. If the employer’s stated reason is a pretext (false excuse) for racial discrimination and someone outside of your protected class was not fired for the same performance deficiency, you may still have a claim.
Can I file a claim if I was fired for reporting racial discrimination?
Yes. Retaliation for reporting racial discrimination is illegal.
How long do I have to file a racial discrimination claim in Florida?
- Title VII: 300 days
- Florida Civil Rights Act: 1 year
- Broward County Human Rights Act: 180 days
- Section 1981: 4 years
Can I file a claim if I was fired for reporting racial discrimination?
Yes. Retaliation for reporting discrimination is illegal under Title VII, Section 1981, the FCRA, and the Broward County Human Rights Act.
Does racial discrimination happen often in Hollywood workplaces?
Yes. Due to Hollywood’s diverse workforce and large service-sector economy, workers frequently report race-based discipline, unequal pay, or favoritism in hotels, restaurants, healthcare facilities, and retail stores.
What if I am an immigrant facing racial discrimination in Hollywood?
Immigrant workers have the same rights as all other employees. Your immigration status does not prevent you from filing a racial discrimination claim.
Can I file a discrimination claim against a small business in Hollywood?
Yes. Under the Broward County Human Rights Act, you may file a racial discrimination claim against employers with 5-14 employees.
Contact Kaplan Employment Law Today
Your story deserves to be heard. If you have been subjected to racial discrimination while working in Hollywood, FL or anywhere in South Florida, we are ready to fight for you.
Kaplan Employment Law holds employers accountable and helps employees recover the compensation they deserve.
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