Conduct Can Be Discriminatory Even If Not Directed Toward Employee

Generally, race discrimination involves treating an applicant or employee unfavorably because they are of a certain race, while race-based harassment is unwanted and unwelcome conduct directed at an individual because of their race. Unlawful harassment can be based on a series or pattern of incidents or even a single incident if it is sufficiently severe. But what about conduct that is directed at a certain race generally, as opposed to the individual specifically?

In a recent decision, a federal district court in California held that a former university lecturer’s race discrimination and harassment claims may proceed to trial even thoughCook