Color discrimination—treating an employee unfairly based on skin tone or complexion—remains an important but often misunderstood area of employment law. In Woodbridge Township, employees are protected under both federal law and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), which prohibits discrimination based on race and color as distinct categories.
Castronovo & McKinney, LLC focuses exclusively on employment law and represents employees throughout Woodbridge Township and across New Jersey in discrimination matters. When workplace decisions appear influenced by bias tied to skin tone or physical characteristics, legal protections may apply.
What Is Color Discrimination?
Color discrimination involves unfavorable treatment of an employee because of the shade of their skin, even within the same racial or ethnic group. It may occur independently of race discrimination and can involve distinctions based on lighter or darker skin tone.
Like other forms of discrimination, color bias can affect hiring, promotion, compensation, discipline, and termination decisions.
Examples of Color-Based Bias
- Preferential treatment of employees with lighter or darker complexions
- Comments or jokes targeting skin tone
- Unequal enforcement of workplace policies based on appearance
- Disparate disciplinary action linked to complexion
Such conduct may be subtle or overt, but patterns of unequal treatment can support a legal claim.
Hostile Work Environment and Harassment
Repeated derogatory remarks, offensive conduct, or exclusion based on skin tone may create a hostile work environment if the behavior becomes severe or pervasive. Employers are obligated to address discriminatory conduct once they become aware of it.
Failure to investigate complaints or implement corrective measures may result in liability.
Retaliation Protections
Employees who report color discrimination are protected from retaliation. Adverse actions such as demotion, termination, or negative performance reviews following a complaint may constitute separate legal violations.
Castronovo & McKinney evaluates discrimination and retaliation claims together to determine the most effective legal strategy.
Available Remedies
Employees who prevail in color discrimination claims may recover back pay, front pay, emotional distress damages, attorneys’ fees, and other relief permitted under the LAD. Courts may also order reinstatement or require policy changes.
Because employment claims are subject to strict deadlines, prompt legal consultation is important.
Learn More About Color Discrimination in Woodbridge Township
For further information regarding color discrimination protections in Woodbridge Township, review this resource: Woodbridge Township Color Discrimination Attorney.
Contact Castronovo & McKinney, LLC
Castronovo & McKinney, LLC
71 Maple Ave
Morristown, NJ 07960
Phone: 973-920-7888
Email: tom@cmlaw.com
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The firm represents employees and employers throughout Woodbridge Township and across New Jersey, including Bergen County, Essex County, Middlesex County, and Morris County, as well as communities such as Newark, Hackensack, and New Brunswick.
