What you should know about workplace discrimination

There have been many changes to what it means to “work” throughout the pandemic. For some, it meant going remote, while others have seen additional procedures and precautions put in place. While the work environment may have changed, one thing that has not changed is the responsibility that employers have to ensure a fair and equal work environment.?

Here are a few things you should know to ensure that your workplace is great for all.

1. Workplace protections are not just for pregnant women

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) protects you from employment discrimination based on your “race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, disability, age (age 40 or older), or genetic information.” This means that the employers who qualify are not able to tailor hiring practices, promote, demote, or create policies that are exclusionary of these groups, or in any way negatively impact them solely due to them falling into one of the above categories.?

It happens remote as well

Harassing emails, text messages, and video calls can all constitute a form of discriminatory behavior. This can also include remarks made on Zoom calls. You don’t have to be face-to-face with someone to be discriminated against. You have the same rights working virtually as you did when you sat in the same room as your colleagues.

Only certain people qualify

We often hear of workplace discrimination cases that involve a manager or company owner. In reality, discriminatory behavior can come from supervisors, but it also comes from co-workers, vendors, contract staff, clients, and mentees. If you experience illegal behavior from a co-worker, it is essential to your case that you report it to your manager, human resources department, or other supervisory individual. Fellow employees do not have any right to make it an uncomfortable or hostile work environment. If they are doing so, it then becomes the responsibility of the HR or management team to deal with once you report it. If you do not report it, they may not be liable for fixing the problem.?

There should be no repercussions

The ability to report illegal activity such as workplace discrimination is a right. An employer cannot punish you for “asserting your rights” to be free from discrimination, which is considered a protected activity under the law. Did you know that “retaliation is the most frequently alleged basis of discrimination in the federal sector” and the most common discrimination finding in federal sector cases? It’s not as rare as you might think.

Discrimination can be disguised

While workplace discrimination often takes the form of inappropriate messages, daily insults, and uncomfortable conversations, it can be something else entirely. Discrimination can be a denial of a workplace change because of your religion or disability or even unequal pay for a similar job because of your race.

You are protected from discrimination by the law and you deserve to be treated with respect. Don’t wait too long to decide to stand up for your rights as there are strict time limits for filing a job discrimination complaint with the EEOC.?

Workplace discrimination cases can become complex very quickly which is why it’s important to have a lawyer by your side. If you believe you are being or were discriminated against at your job, send me a message or contact the team at Liberty Trial Law Group.