Employment Discrimination: Understanding Your Rights and Legal Protections

Employment discrimination is a serious issue that affects many individuals in the workforce. It occurs when an employer treats an employee unfairly based on their race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics. This type of discrimination is illegal, and employees have legal protections to prevent it. In this article, we will explore employment discrimination, its various forms, and what you can do to protect your rights.

Forms of Employment Discrimination

Employment discrimination can take many forms, including:

  1. Hiring discrimination: This occurs when an employer refuses to hire an applicant based on their protected characteristics.
  2. Promotion discrimination: This occurs when an employer denies an employee a promotion based on their protected characteristics.
  3. Pay discrimination: This occurs when an employer pays an employee less than others who perform the same job based on their protected characteristics.
  4. Harassment: This occurs when an employee faces unwanted comments or actions that create a hostile work environment based on their protected characteristics.

There are several laws that protect employees from employment discrimination. The most important of these laws is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Other laws that protect employees from discrimination include the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.

If you believe that you have been the victim of employment discrimination, you have the right to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC is a federal agency that investigates claims of employment discrimination and enforces federal laws that prohibit it. You must file a complaint with the EEOC within 180 days of the alleged discrimination.

Steps to Take if You Experience Employment Discrimination

If you experience employment discrimination, there are several steps you can take to protect your rights:

  1. Keep detailed records: Document any incidents of discrimination, including dates, times, and witnesses.
  2. Report the discrimination: Inform your supervisor or HR department of the discrimination. If they do not address the issue, file a complaint with the EEOC.
  3. Consider legal action: If the discrimination continues, you may need to hire an attorney to protect your rights and seek justice.

Conclusion

Employment discrimination is a serious issue that affects many workers. It is illegal, and employees have legal protections to prevent it. If you experience employment discrimination, it is important to take action to protect your rights. By keeping detailed records, reporting the discrimination, and seeking legal assistance if necessary, you can hold your employer accountable and seek justice.

Thomas Elliott

Education: Brooklyn Law School, Brooklyn, New York. Pace University, White Plains, New York.
Professional Associations and Memberships: American Bar Association, New York State Bar, The Association of the Bar of the City of New York, Brooklyn Bar Association, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).

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