National-origin discrimination
**You may have rights even if you are scared to speak up, are new to the US, or are not a native English speaker.** If you think you were treated unfairly because of your accent, ethnicity, ancestry, birthplace, or language, you can learn the basics here and [get matched for a free consultation](/get-matched/) with an independent licensed employment attorney.
What national-origin discrimination can look like at work
National-origin discrimination happens when an employer treats a worker worse because of where they or their family come from, their ancestry, ethnicity, accent, native language, or because they seem to be from a certain country or region. This can affect hiring, firing, pay, promotion, scheduling, discipline, and daily treatment at work.
Examples may include refusing to hire people with certain accents, making insulting comments about a worker's nationality, punishing someone for speaking another language during breaks, or targeting workers who "look foreign." It may also include harassment by a manager, coworker, or even a customer if the employer knows about it and does not take reasonable steps to address it.
In many workplaces, the law protects workers from this kind of treatment. Your rights at work may apply regardless of immigration status. WorkRightMatch is not a law firm, and this is general educational information, not legal advice. If you want advice about your situation, you can get matched with an attorney who handles employment law.
You do not have to prove perfect English to have workplace rights
Many workers worry that language issues mean they have no protection. That is often not true. Employers may sometimes require English or another language for a real business reason, but blanket rules or selective enforcement may be unlawful depending on the facts.
For example, an employer might have a limited safety rule for certain tasks. But a rule that only punishes Spanish-speaking workers for speaking their language at lunch or during breaks could raise concerns. Mocking a worker's accent, denying opportunities because a worker sounds "too foreign," or demanding "American-born" workers may also be warning signs.
If you are an immigrant worker, you may find more general help in workplace rights for immigrant workers, rights for new immigrants, and non-English-speaking workers.
Warning signs that the problem may be illegal
Not every unfair decision is against the law. In most states, at-will employment is the default, which means employers can often make job decisions for many reasons. But they generally cannot make decisions for illegal reasons, including discrimination based on protected traits or retaliation for reporting possible violations.
Warning signs may include:
- Slurs, jokes, insults, or threats about your nationality, ethnicity, accent, or immigration background
- Different rules for workers from certain countries or language groups
- Being denied hiring, training, better shifts, or promotions because you "do not sound American enough"
- Pressure to hide your accent or stop speaking your native language when there is no real business need
- Sudden discipline or firing after you complained about biased treatment
- Unequal pay or harsher punishment compared with coworkers doing similar work
National-origin discrimination can overlap with other problems, including workplace discrimination, workplace harassment, or retaliation after a complaint.
What you can do now if you think this is happening
If you feel safe doing so, start keeping a simple timeline. Write down what happened, when, where, who was involved, and whether anyone saw it. Keep notes about comments, schedule changes, write-ups, lost hours, pay changes, or messages related to the treatment. You can use tools like the harassment documentation log and learn more in how to document workplace problems.
You can also review your employer's policies and consider reporting the issue through HR, a manager, or another complaint channel if that feels safe. If you make a complaint, keep a copy of what you reported and note any response. If the employer punishes you for complaining, that may matter too.
Try to act promptly. Deadlines for employment claims vary by state and by claim, and some may be as short as 180 days. If you wait too long, you may lose rights. You can read more in filing an EEOC charge and statute of limitations for employment claims.
How WorkRightMatch can help
WorkRightMatch is a free attorney-matching and educational service for workers. We are not a law firm and we are not your lawyer. We do not give legal advice. If you want help understanding your options, you can get matched for a free consultation with an independent licensed employment attorney.
Many employment attorneys handle cases on a contingency fee, which means they may get paid only if the worker recovers money, though fee arrangements vary. Matched attorneys may also offer a free consultation. Any fees are agreed to directly between you and the attorney. WorkRightMatch is free for workers, and attorneys pay a flat fee to receive requests.
If you are not sure where to start, visit your rights or browse more guides.
If your employer treated you badly because of your nationality, ethnicity, accent, language, or where you come from, you may have legal options. Learn the signs, document what happened, and consider [getting matched](/get-matched/) with a licensed employment attorney for advice about your situation.