Have you been the target of employment law discrimination? If so, you may be entitled to compensation. Our employment lawyers can review your case and help you pursue a claim for workplace discrimination.
In the United States, our civil rights are protected by strong anti-discrimination laws. Our ability to earn a living cannot hinge on whether we fit a specific demographic. If it does, you may be able to hold your employer accountable through a civil lawsuit.
Discrimination is illegal, yet according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, it is still alive and well in the U.S., with 61,331 charges filed in 2021 alone. As an employee, once you suspect that you are being discriminated against at work, it is important to take steps to protect yourself and assemble evidence should you decide to pursue a lawsuit against your employer. If you are experiencing workplace discrimination, you will want to get the assistance of an experienced employment lawyer.
What Falls Under Employment Law Discrimination?
Employment laws have been implemented to protect employees from discrimination and harassment in the workplace. These make it unlawful to discriminate against anyone based on their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability at work.
Employment law discrimination can take many forms, including:
- Getting fired based on your identity
- Not getting hired because of who you are
- Not receiving equal pay, benefits, a promotion, or a raise because of your identity
- Being the target of insults or gossip because of who you are
- Working in a toxic work environment where harassment and discrimination are rampant and unchecked
If this is happening to you, you may be entitled to compensatory and even punitive damages from your employer. These can pay you for any emotional or financial harm you have suffered because of this discrimination. Furthermore, that employer will be required to stop further discriminatory practices and take steps to prevent future discrimination in their workplace.
Understand Your Rights Under Your Employer’s Policies
Most employers have anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies in place. If you feel you are being victimized, your first step should be understanding your rights under those policies. They will further advise you of the steps you must take to report any abuse of these policies you are experiencing.
Keep Documentation
Employers often maintain a blind eye toward harassment and discrimination until it is formally reported. Documenting the employment law discrimination in writing will give you a record with which to file a complaint with your employer. Once a complaint is officially filed, you should be protected from retaliation, although this may still happen.
Be Specific
When you file your complaint, be very specific about how you feel you are being discriminated against, whether it is racially, for your gender, sexual orientation, or other discrimination. Your complaint should then focus on that type of discrimination or harassment. Many employers will ignore generalizations unless they feel they have some liability, which requires naming the type of discrimination.
Be Clear About Your Expectations
When you want discrimination to stop, you must be clear about what you want in your complaint. Depending on your employer’s policies, you may expect them to investigate the conduct and take remedial action. Unless you voice your expectations, your complaint may fall on deaf ears, and your employer may not take you seriously.
Get Legal Assistance
Anti-discrimination laws are powerful laws implemented to protect workers, but they are only as good as those who use them to protect their rights. Many individuals are intimidated and afraid to hold their employer accountable for their unlawful practices and fear losing their job or suffering retaliation. But under our laws concerning employment law discrimination, losing your job or other retaliation is also unlawful and will carry further consequences.
If you have suffered employment law discrimination, strong federal laws protect your rights. Pursuing discrimination litigation can be complicated, however. Getting experienced legal advice should be your first move. The employment lawyers at Saffren & Weinberg will review your situation. If we believe you have a case, we will help you file the appropriate complaint and represent you in a lawsuit against your employer. Call us at (215) 576-0100 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation to see how we may be able to help you.
This website is designed to provide only general information. The information presented on this website is not formal legal advice. You should not rely on any general information from any source for making legal decisions. Each legal matter is unique and requires specific attention from a qualified and experienced attorney. Unless a representation agreement has been signed with Saffren & Weinberg, we are not your legal representatives.