Race, Ethnicity & National Origin Discrimination

Prohibitions on Race and National Origin Discrimination in Employment

Discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, or national origin is illegal under Minnesota law. This means employers cannot fire, refuse to promote, or otherwise treat an employee unfavorably due to their race or ethnic background. Minnesota law even explicitly includes traits like hair texture and hairstyles in the definition of race, prohibiting discrimination based on natural hairstyles (such as braids, locs, or twists). National origin discrimination covers biases based on a person’s country of birth, culture, accent, or language.

Protected traits: Race includes all elements of racial identity. National origin includes a person’s birthplace or ancestry. Color refers to skin color within a racial group. Ethnicity and national origin discrimination can include adverse actions due to foreign accents, foreign-sounding names, or nationality.
Examples: Firing or demoting someone for speaking their native language at work, or regularly criticizing an employee’s accent or religious dress (e.g. wearing a hijab or yarmulke), can be unlawful. If you were passed over for transfer to a new department in favor of someone of a different race with similar credentials, that could indicate racial bias. Harassing comments or jokes about race or ethnicity that create a hostile workplace also violate the law.
Minnesota’s stance: The Human Rights Act lists race, color, creed (religion), national origin, and familial status as protected bases in employment. Notably, by including hairstyles in its definition of race, Minnesota ensures that cultural expressions tied to race cannot be targeted. This is one of several ways Minnesota law is very protective of racial and ethnic minorities.

Our firm, Zack Johnson Law, LLC, fights racial and national origin discrimination in Minnesota workplaces. We help clients collect evidence of unfair treatment or slurs, interview witnesses, and file complaints with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights or EEOC. If you believe you lost your job or a promotion because of race, ancestry, or country of origin, reach out to contact Minneapolis/Twin Cities race discrimination attorney Zack Johnson. We provide a free consultation to discuss your options under the Minnesota Human Rights Act and related laws.

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