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question.jpgIn HR/Employment Law

What is race discrimination?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was enacted to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race and color; it is unlawful to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his/her race or color in regard to hiring, termination, promotion, compensation, job training, or any other term, condition, or privilege of employment. It is also illegal to make employment decisions based on stereotypes and assumptions about abilities, traits, or the performance of individuals of certain racial groups. Employers must also take preventative steps to prevent offensive conduct on the basis of race or color, such as ethnic slurs or racial jokes. Employers are not allowed, either, to isolate or segregate employees from other employees or from customer contact because of their race. Furthermore, it is very unwise to pre-screen employees by asking questions about race, because it strongly suggests race will be used illegally as the basis of a hiring decision.