Before You Claim Bias

By Marty Nemko

The U.S. Justice Department reported that workplace bias lawsuits tripled in the 1990s. On one hand, that's good news--unfairly treated employees are now using their legal recourse. Unfortunately, that assumes that most bias claims are legitimate. Fact is, judges, juries, and fact-finders dismissed 90+ percent of those cases. So, before subjecting yourself, your manager, and co-workers to the enormous time and stress of a bias lawsuit, be sure the reason you were terminated or not promoted was bias. It's easy to assume discrimination--you needn't take responsibility. It's much tougher to say, "My fault. How can I improve next time?"