Los Angeles Employment Attorney Blog

Despite earning a Ph.D. in Engineering from a prestigious U.S. University and a history of extremely competent work product, Shiri could not get a promotion. Her male counter-parts, with less education and experience, got all the breaks and promotions. Funny thing though, whenever they ran into a serious problem and couldn't solve it, she was the go-to person. Yes, she could work-out complicated and sophisticated problems, but the credit went to those who came to her for help. She would train other engineers who would then get promoted and get interesting assignments.

Shiri's requests for assignments were seen as a nuisance and ignored. In fact, outside of the small circle of those who turned to her for help, the rest of the organization thought she didn't pull her weight because she was never given credit for what she did. And, of course, she wasn't paid as much as her male co-workers. It was against company policy, but company policy was just some words on paper. Middle management with a little power, little judgment, and too much "this is a man's world" attitude, perpetually held Shiri down. Over a period of years, Shiri's requests for help were no more effective than echoes in a wasteland.

Shiri sat at her desk dazed. No tears anymore - they dried up after years of sobbing. Her hands uncontrollably shook, her head pounded, but she didn't move from her desk paralyzed by another unfair denial of promotion. Her desk seemed more like a prison than a place of freedom to be a problem-solver, be productive, and accomplish useful tasks for her employer. Thoughts raced through her mind "Why did I study engineering?", "Why didn't I leave years ago?" "What did I do wrong?"; "I can't believe this is happening."

Gender discrimination can profoundly degrade the victim's sense of well-being and self-esteem. This travesty is exacerbated by an unresponsive employer. In some cases, out of desperation, the victim of gender discrimination seeks legal counsel. But by then so much suffering, humiliation, and damage has occurred, none of which should have occurred if the employer had ensured a discrimination free workplace. This is where Human Resources Department came make a critical difference and impact on employee morale and minimize gender discrimination.

The challenge faced by Human Resource Departments is how to effective teach anti-discrimination. Of course, the law regarding anti-discrimination must be taught; however, that is merely the first step. Effective inculcation of anti-discrimination and the harm that discrimination causes must be done creatively and dramatically with believable or, better yet, actual cases of gender discrimination. By educating employees, supervisors, and all levels of management the serious and often lasting ramifications of gender discrimination, the employer has the best chance of complying with the law and alleviating gender discrimination.

Try presenting real life examples of gender discrimination including having prior victims of gender discrimination tell their story. This can make an indelible impression to help people be self motivated to treat woman and men with the same respect and dignity necessary to have a healthy workplace environment as well as reward employees who are responsible and productive, rather than giving all the perks to a employee based on gender.

 

In Montgomery, Alabama, the Southern Poverty Law Center built a memorial to those slain in the Civil Rights Movement. It is called the Wall of Tolerance. Finished in 2005, it is now of national and world significance as a memorial to those who fought to end social injustice. The Wall of Tolerance is also a present and powerful statement by over 100,000 people from around the world who have pledged to fight hate and injustice in their daily lives.

Tolerance is a key to defeating discrimination. Los Angeles should follow suit and pledge to fight hate and injustice. Southern California, with its tens of millions of people of all races and cultures, needs to join the movement to teach tolerance. It is through teaching tolerance, that workers will enjoy better work environments. Our businesses and workforces will be stronger as tolerance of the differences of others is taught and embraced.

Los Angeles is the proud home of the Museum of Tolerance, which is an institution dedicated to educating people about tolerance and eradicating prejudice. It is racial prejudice and animosity that stirs up so much trouble in the workplace. But such trouble is not limited to racial discrimination, intolerance is seen in discriminating against people with disabilities, people who hold different religious beliefs, and people who have immigrated to the United States for a better life.

Employers who really want a workplace free of discrimination should actively teach tolerance. Many employers are concerned about protecting themselves, but go about it the wrong way. The best way for employers to protect themselves against employment lawsuits is to treat its employees with respect and dignity. If employers would concentrate on that instead of rules to prohibit and punish, they would be on the road to developing excellent relationships with their employees. Based on my 26 years of litigating employment discrimination lawsuits in Los Angeles and the surrounding counties, this focus on dignity and respect for employees would do much to reduce the number of employment lawsuits and the threats of employment lawsuits.

For more information on the Southern Poverty Law Center, click here.

For advice or seminars on teaching tolerance, contact Los Angeles employment law attorneyes at the Abel Law Offices.

Discrimination, hate, and injustice are rooted in intolerance and ignorance.  California and the United States Government have enacted laws to prohibit discrimination, to make it public policy to be fair to people regardless of the person's race, national origin, gender, age, sexual preference or religion. And, these law are good; but, they are not enough. We need to educate our children and communities about tolerance. Tolerance is a fair and permissive attitude toward others who are different - different race, different culture, different beliefs.

Discrimination in the workplace is a manifestation of intolerance and ignorance. Teaching tolerance is a key to defeating discrimination. Sometimes, tolerance is taught by remembering the intolerance and injustice of the past. On Sunday April 26, 2009 at 1:45 p.m. at the Los Angeles Holocaust Monument in the Pan Pacific Park, there will be a commemoration of the World War II Holocaust as part of the World-Wide Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The theme is to teach children and all humanity to never forget the injustices of intolerance. It is a look back in history when hatred, intolerance, and injustice perpetrated unimaginable horrors on the Jewish people. The lesson is that unbridled hatred is destructive, even evil. While this annual commemoration of the Holocaust has become a sacred time of remembrance, it is also an opportunity for all to learn from the past.

Los Angeles is privileged to be the home of the Museum of Tolerance. A unique museum that provides an interactive experience fallowing the visitor to become an eye witness to the pain, misery, and destructiveness caused by intolerance. Its goal is to teach tolerance and understanding. It is an experience that helps open peoples' minds and shake entrenched beliefs. This process is a process of hope for humanity. Teaching tolerance opens the doors of hope that different people can live together peaceably and respect their differences. Diversity should be embraced as a principle that makes Americans stronger as a people.

Employers would be well served by teaching tolerance to its employees, supervisors, and managers. Corporate employment law attorneys and Human Resource Departments should implement comprehensive educational programs to teach tolerance in the workplace. Teaching tolerance is a key to defeating discrimination in our nation, our communities, and our workplaces.