Reporting discrimination in the workplace can be a risky decision. For some, the company may take action to end discriminatory behavior and matters might improve. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Many victims of workplace discrimination in Wisconsin experience increased hostility and retaliation after submitting complaints.
An out-of-state jury recently awarded a woman $8.5 million after she accused her employer of discrimination and retaliation. The 47-year-old woman complained of a hostile working environment, citing unfair treatment against herself and other workers based on their race. The company launched an investigation into the matter, and soon afterwards things got worse. When the investigation was over, her supervisor piled more duties into her job description without providing any additional pay. She was soon transferred to a more distant office and not provided with any extra compensation for her commuting expenses.
Around that same time, she applied for a promotion. Despite earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree since joining the natural gas company in 2004 and receiving consistently positive performance reviews, she did not secure the new position. Instead, a white applicant without any legal training and less education was given the job.
Racial discrimination in the workplace can be subtle but also extremely damaging to victims and their careers. Many deal with repeated questioning of their competence and are excluded from the workplace community. These actions often culminate in missed opportunities, such as raises or promotions, and can also cause serious emotional trauma. However, Wisconsin victims are not without options, and many can secure just compensation for their damages through the careful actions of a workplace discrimination suit.