National origin discrimination is one of the forms of discrimination prohibited by the federal civil rights law known as Title VII. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has issued new guidance in a question-and-answer format about this type of discrimination. Here is an example of the types of issues addressed by the guidance:
- How is national origin discrimination defined under Title VII?
Generally, national origin discrimination refers to: (a) treating an individual less favorably because he or she is from a certain place or has the physical, cultural, or linguistic characteristics of a particular national origin (ethnic) group; or (b) using an employment policy or practice that disproportionately impacts people on the basis of national origin and is not shown to be job related and consistent with business necessity.
The question-and-answer guide is found on the EEOC’s website.