Was I discriminated against based on my Nationality?

My employer went to Italy for a week or two with his family. While there, he had his $24k Rolex watch stolen by some italian men. When he returned, he made jokes around the office for a week or two about my family stealing his watch. He laughed about it when he made the jokes, but I was fired for no apparent reason a couple weeks later. It seemed to me that his attitude toward me changed after he returned from Italy, knowing I'm Italian. He made jokes to several people around the office, in front of me about my family stealing his watch. Do you think I have a case of discrimination? Thank you.

2 answers  |  asked Jun 4, 2006 6:41 PM [EST]  |  applies to Illinois

Answers (2)

Anthony Cameron
BEST ANSWER IS PROBABLY IN YOUR FEEDBACK

If you brought that case into my office, I'd want to see your disciplinary record and your evaluations for your whole career. If there had been a downturn even before the trip to Italy, I'd probably tell you to walk away from the whole thing. If there was no warning at all that your performance or deportment was slipping, I'd urge you to at least take the first step.

Other than that, I can't add much to what Aaron said. Perhaps you're in touch with him by now. He'll take excellent care of you.

posted by Anthony Cameron  |  Jun 24, 2006 4:36 PM [EST]
Aaron Maduff
Was I discriminated against based on my Nationality?

You may have a national origin discrimination case. It is illegal to terminate someone because of his national origin, in this case Italian. The difficulty is in proving that being Italian was the reason for your termination. The combination of the jokes about your family stealing his watch (ostensibly because you are Italian), combined with how quickly you were terminated (particularly that no reason was given for your termination) supports your claim. I reccommend that you contact us directly at 312/276-9000 or one of the other fine employment lawyers listed here at MEL.
Aaron Maduff

posted by Aaron Maduff  |  Jun 5, 2006 3:36 PM [EST]

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