Employment discrimination is a controversial issue in the United States. Employment discrimination is discrimination in hiring, promotion, firing, and compensation of employees. Examples of discrimination include age, disability, equal pay, genetic information, national origin, pregnancy, race/color, religion, and gender. Over the years, the United States has passed numerous laws to try to eliminate employment discrimination. Even though most laws are effective, discrimination in the labor market still exists today. This article will focus on one major type of employment discrimination, racial discrimination. Unfortunately, racism has existed in the past and still exists today in the job market. Discrimination based on ancestry, physical characteristics, culture and association is also considered a type of racial discrimination. Racial discrimination in the workplace can have detrimental effects on a society's economy. Racial discrimination in the workplace occurs when an employer fails to hire or promote a person because of their race. Racial discrimination also involves treating someone unfavorably because they are of a certain race or because of personal characteristics associated with race (EEOC, 2013.). Employers use racial characteristics to create a disadvantage for a current or potential employee. Racial discrimination in the job market costs businesses millions each year. Legal costs and possible loss of development due to the exclusion of a qualified employee are among the expenses the company faces. For example, an employer may force qualified employees to leave their positions. This can potentially cost the company huge profits. Unfair treatment of employees can also lead to re...... middle of paper ......the VIILeadership Conference. “The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.” The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Np, and Web. December 9, 2013. http://www.civilrights.org/resources/civilrights101/employment.htmlThe Wage Project. “What is the role of the EEOC and who else can be a plaintiff in a consent decree?.” What is the role of the EEOC and who else can be a plaintiff in a consent decree? Np, and Web. December 10, 2013. “United States Department of Labor v. Bank of America.” OFCCP-Bank of America case. 2003. Internet. December 9, 2013..US Legal.inc. “Affirmative Action Law and Legal Definition.” Affirmative Action Law and Legal Definition. Np, and Web. December 10. 2013. .