Employment Discrimination
Employment Discrimination Cases
Equal Employment Opportunity laws do a lot to protect workers from employment discrimination, yet each year employment law attorneys find themselves answering questions from a number of workers wondering if they have valid employment discrimination cases. An understanding of employment rules can help a worker determine if a practice in their workplace amounts to discrimination.
The key employment laws, such as the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity laws (EEO), prohibit discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or age. EEO laws also prohibit employment discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities. These laws seem easy to understand, but employment law lawyers will tell you some areas that fall under these laws, like equal pay and sexual harassment, can be murky and difficult to navigate territory. Lack of open discussion about pay rates in the workplace can make it difficult to confirm pay bias based upon gender. It also can be challenging to know what constitutes a “hostile environment” which is one of the many factors used in deciding the validity of sexual harassment cases.
It is important to note that temporary employment agenciesare held to the same standards as other employers when it comes to employment discrimination laws. Workers should take care to review any proposed employment contract prior to signing with a temporary employment agency to ensure they understand the terms and actions that could lead to their dismissal from the agency. Typical items included are policies about notification requirements prior to not reporting for an assignment or the right to refuse assignments being offered by the agency.
Whether a full time or temporary agency employee, the best action a worker can take when they suspect they are a victim of employment discrimination is to document the questionable actions or practices and consult with an employment attorney who is well versed in employment law. A qualified employment law attorney can review the situation with the worker and make sure proper steps are taken to ensure a positive outcome while protecting a worker’s rights and professional reputation. This expertise can be invaluable when sorting out the complexities of employment discrimination cases.
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