Can I sue my boss for calling me the N-word?
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Can I sue my boss for calling me the N-word?
Im a young Caucasian female who
works for a small family-owned
business. When I bring issues at hand
to my bosss attention, she tells me just
to listen to herself and her husband
the owners because Im just their
little nigger. She has recently taken it
too far and has used the word
numerous times in conversations
concerning myself and other
employees. Is this something that I can
sue her for? We have no HR within the
company so I cannot seek advice
anywhere else.
Asked on January 5, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
If you are caucasion, then this would not be illegal race-based discrimination, since you are neither black/of African descent nor would you be someone who might reasonbly (albeit mistakenly) be thought to be that. This is a highly offensive and inappropriate comment, but its not directed to you because of your actual or perceived race: it is a comment about your role and/or status in the company, and while wrong, is not discriminatory.
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