To Preserve Your Legal Rights.  Federal law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees due to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, or age.  It is critically important to promptly notify management in writing about this unlawful conduct.  Otherwise, they may not be held accountable. Unfortunately, some employees are reluctant to do so for fear of being retaliated against.  However, employers are also prohibited from retaliating in response to a discrimination complaint.

There’s Protection from Retaliation.  If you’re hesitant about notifying your employer about discrimination, just remember that reporting it is your best option, regardless of whether your employer wants to do the right thing or the wrong thing.  If your employer wants to do the right thing, it will investigate your complaint and take corrective action, if appropriate.  But if your employer penalizes you for reporting discrimination, you may have an additional legal claim against your employer for unlawful retaliation.  Of course, it is important to retain documentation of your complaint and any subsequent retaliation by your employer.

You Forfeit Rights by Not Reporting.  It is critical not to allow discriminatory treatment to fester because strict time limits apply to your case for submitting claims to government agencies, filing lawsuits, and filing criminal charges about unlawful activity.  Missing deadlines results in forfeiture of important legal rights.  Also, the longer you wait to alert your employer about discrimination, the less credible your complaint may appear.