What law is this

December 21, 2023 1:43 PM

Can you help me unpack what law or statute this person was referring to that might compel a company to limit employee activities that are perceived as discriminatory?

Attempting to be vague here, but in brief, I have been involved in advocacy with a group of coworkers on a controversial topic.

Recently I had a heated conversation with someone at work who shares an identity category with me, but who perceives these actions I've been involved with as discriminatory toward this shared identity group.

I believe this person has been talking to management and referencing some specific statute in an effort to influence management to limit these actions that my group has been taking at work.

This person named a specific law or statute in the course of a conversation we had, as evidence that our employer should be stopping my group. She said something like, "Are you aware of Title [number]"? [like, Title IX, was the vibe I got] to make the point that the boss should be shutting us down.

Any idea what law this person is referring to so I can read up on it? There was a lot going on in the conversation and getting the answer to this was not a priority. And asking this person now is not an option.

I am in California, and I'm a union shop steward and have a good sense of what I could be disciplined for at work so I'm not worried about my job security - so no need to advise me regarding my workplace actions. I'm wondering what specific law to google. Thank you.

posted by latkes to Law & Government (7 answers total)

Title VI maybe? See here. This is what various universities are being investigated over in re: Israel/Gaza things.
posted by damayanti at 1:48 PM on December 21, 2023

Many employment discrimination claims are brought under Title VII. If an employer finds out that employees are engaging in activity that could be considered discriminatory on the basis of race, religion, sex, etc., that could be an impetus to limit that activity.
posted by *s at 2:03 PM on December 21, 2023

Title VII is the US law that makes workplace discrimination illegal.

On preview: jinx
posted by Jon_Evil at 2:03 PM on December 21, 2023

Title VI prohibits any program/activity receiving Federal financial assistance from committing racial/national origin discrimination against anyone. Title VI tends to cover, in practice, a large percentage of non-profits.
Title VII prohibits all employers (federal or not) from discriminating based on race/religion/sex/national origin.
Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in education and programs receiving Federal financial assistance.

Both Title VI and Title IX are presumed to have right of private action - ie, a single person affected (ie, your coworker) can usually sue someone/a company/an organization for such discrimination. There are some exceptions (in particular, the federal government).
posted by saeculorum at 2:04 PM on December 21, 2023 [1 favorite]

You're talking about actions you're involved with outside of and unrelated to work, correct? That was my read on your question and if so I think some folks are misunderstanding.
posted by dusty potato at 2:42 PM on December 21, 2023

Response by poster: We have been gathering together in different ways during our lunch breaks while at work which we assert is allowed based in part on past practice of allowing many interest groups to gather during lunch breaks, but which a small group claims is harming them based on their identity group (an identity group that some of us in my group - including me - share). These answers are helpful and both Title VII and probably especially Title VI appear to be what she was referencing and is throwing around. Thanks all.
posted by latkes at 7:14 AM on December 22, 2023

I would imagine that the law would consider the location of these gatherings. If the gatherings are taking place at the worksite that might have more implications for workplace discrimination than if your group was meeting at a cafe across the street during time in which you are not being paid for (assuming, that your lunch hours aren't paid, which is the general rule in the US).
posted by brookeb at 7:43 AM on December 22, 2023