Black employees of Rittenhouse Square’s Anthropologie store have reported multiple instances of racial discrimination while working and after their shifts. Anthropology and its parent company, Urban Outfitters, are under investigation for the many shared experiences on social media of continued racism inside the company. Employees have taken to social media to share their experiences including allegations involving employees racially profiling customers and supervisors discriminating against their black employees. Former employees have described the use of racial profiling of black customers as shoplifters and using racist language in the workplace. People of color have also stated the many barriers for career advancement and lack of representation in higher up positions.
Urban Outfitters is facing criticism throughout social media and internally due to the racial discrimination claims. More than 700 employees have signed a letter to corporate calling for “racial justice” inside the company. This would include mandatory training on bias, the creation of a diversity and inclusion team and also establishing an official HR team where black employees would feel safe to report racist situations. Due to the public and internal employee outcry for change within the past few weeks, company executives have stated their commitment to new hiring initiatives and anti-discrimination training. In a public statement, executives have apologized to all customers and employees who felt unwelcomed and will continue to implement their zero-tolerance policy regarding racial profiling and discrimination. They have also done their own investigation of racism at the Rittenhouse Anthropology and terminated several employees. Urban Outfitters has work to do to fix the toxic work environment and the way discrimination matters are handled.
Discrimination in the workplace refers to any unfair treatment in the workplace based on age, disability, gender or sex, national origin or race. If you have been treated unfairly due to the color of your skin like the employees of Urban Outfitters, the Philadelphia employment discrimination lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. will fight for your rights. With over 40 years of experience advocating for victims of discrimination, Sidney L. Gold defends those who have been wronged. The legal team has similar experience to the Urban Outfitters case with their $50M nationwide settlement in a class action discrimination suit against Abercrombie and Fitch. Sidney L. Gold served as on of the lead attorneys in the suit claiming that the national clothing retailer maintained a virtually all-white male sales force. If you have faced discrimination in the workplace, call us today 215-569-1999 or contact us online for a free case consultation. Located in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, northeast Philadelphia, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and South Jersey.
