what attorney do i need for discrimination

by Louvenia Gorczany 7 min read

Your preference should be to find a lawyer who has experience representing employees in discrimination claims, and the more experience they have with your particular type of claim, be it discrimination based on gender, race, religion or some other basis or sexual harassment claims, generally the better.

Full Answer

What type of lawyer handles discrimination case?

Pregnancy discrimination; Housing discrimination (including violations of the Fair Employment and Housing Act) Lending discrimination; Education discrimination; Use FindLaw's attorney directory to find a local discrimination lawyer to ensure you are treated equally and that you receive the protection you are granted by anti-discrimination laws.

What does a discrimination lawyer do?

Do I Have a Basis for Employment Discrimination? Likewise, it is common in many states for there to be prohibitions of discrimination in matters of employment codified in state legislative codes because discrimination in employment, as in housing, violates public policy. Anti-discrimination labor laws are often more extensive at the state level than at the federal level.

Can you file a lawsuit for discrimination?

Discrimination lawyers can tell you which laws apply to your particular situation and what legal solutions are available to you. Practice areas related to Discrimination Civil rights Constitutional Employment and labor Sexual harassment See all practice areas

What to expect from your employment discrimination lawyer?

Jan 07, 2022 · Hiring An Attorney For A Discrimination Lawsuit Regardless of the state jurisdiction, a discrimination claim must be filed with a local Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) before your discrimination attorney can file a private lawsuit. This claim must be filed within 180 days of the occurrence to protect the rights guaranteed you by law.

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How do you prove a case of discrimination?

This requires a plaintiff to first establish a prima facie case of employment discrimination by demonstrating that she: (1) is a member of a protected class; (2) met her employer's legitimate job performance expectations; (3) suffered an adverse employment action; and (4) another similarly situated employee outside of ...Mar 1, 2021

What are examples of reasonable discrimination?

Disability discrimination: 10 examples of reasonable adjustments in employmentReallocation of a duty a disabled employee cannot do. ... Providing a nearby parking space for a disabled worker. ... Providing a piece of equipment. ... Swapping two pieces of equipment. ... Redeploying a disabled person to a non-public facing role.More items...•Sep 9, 2014

Who handles discrimination in the workplace?

The EEOCThe EEOC is responsible for protecting you from one type of discrimination - employment discrimination because of your race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, disability, age (age 40 or older), or genetic information.

What law talks about discrimination?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or sex. This law also protects employees against retaliation for going forward with a claim regarding discrimination in the workplace.Aug 12, 2021

What is illegal for employers to do?

An employer may not take into account a person's race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information when making decisions about discipline or discharge.

What is an example of indirect discrimination?

An example of indirect discrimination, may be a minimum height requirement for a job where height is not relevant to carry out the role. Such a requirement would likely discriminate disproportionately against women (and some minority ethnic groups) as they are generally shorter than men.

What should I do if I am being discriminated against at work?

You can file a complaint with OFCCP if you think you have been discriminated against in employment, or in applying for employment, because of your race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or for asking about, discussing, or disclosing ...

What are 3 examples of discrimination?

Types of DiscriminationAge Discrimination.Disability Discrimination.Sexual Orientation.Status as a Parent.Religious Discrimination.National Origin.Pregnancy.Sexual Harassment.More items...

How do you tell if your boss is discriminating against you?

The Many Employment Discrimination Laws Employers Violate....However, here are some clues that you are being illegally discriminated against:Inappropriate joking. ... Minimal diversity. ... Role ruts. ... Promotion pass–over. ... Poor reviews. ... Questionable interview questions.May 1, 2017

What questions are employers not allowed to ask?

Illegal Interview QuestionsAge or genetic information.Birthplace, country of origin or citizenship.Disability.Gender, sex or sexual orientation.Marital status, family, or pregnancy.Race, color, or ethnicity.Religion.7 days ago

What are employers not allowed to ask?

As an employer, you are not allowed to ask about an individual's past or present personal health, including operations, hospital visits, or doctor's appointments. You also need to avoid any questions about mental health, disabilities, and anything else related to the mental and physical status of the employee.

What qualifies as an EEOC complaint?

You can file a formal job discrimination complaint with the EEOC whenever you believe you are: Being treated unfairly on the job because of your race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, disability, age (age 40 or older) or genetic information; or.

What are the remedies for discrimination?

Depending on the exact nature of the case, remedies for employment discrimination may include: Being reinstated to a job after being terminated; Obtaining a promotion or other benefits that were denied due to discrimination; Obtaining a job hire if the person was not hired due to discrimination;

What is the main investigatory body for discrimination claims?

As mentioned, one of the main investigatory bodies for discrimination claims is the EEOC. If a person has a work-related discrimination claim, they will usually have to file with the EEOC first before they can file a private civil lawsuit. The EEOC will prescribe a remedy for the person’s discrimination case.

What are the different types of discrimination?

Besides these, there are still other less well-known discrimination claims, which may include: 1 Accent discrimination 2 Immigrant discrimination 3 LGBT discrimination 4 Sex discrimination (especially with regards to grooming and appearance) 5 Transsexuality discrimination 6 Wage discrimination

Is there a cap on employment discrimination?

Note that there may be some federal caps on employment discrimination remedies; there may also be similar state limits on employment discrimination damages. Also note that employer discrimination laws may also be applicable to other parties, such as supervisors, managers, or even co-workers.

Is wage discrimination a factor?

Wage discrimination. Also, some discrimination cases may involve multiple factors. For instance, it is possible for an employer to discriminate against a person because they are of a certain gender and a certain race. Lastly, there may be some very rare exceptions to discrimination laws.

Can you terminate an employee for discrimination?

They also cannot terminate employees in a discriminatory fashion. In particular, federal employment discrimination laws provide strong protections against discrimination in the workplace based on race, religion, age, sexual orientation, disabilities, and other categories.

Can an employee file a civil lawsuit against an employer?

Usually, the employee can only file a civil lawsuit if the EEOC remedies were not satisfactory.

Do I Have a Basis for Housing Discrimination?

Many states have protections codified in their state legislative codes outlawing housing discrimination. In California, for instance, it is illegal for one to discriminate against someone in housing matters on the basis of race, national origin, religion, sex or disability.

Do I Have a Basis for Employment Discrimination?

Likewise, it is common in many states for there to be prohibitions of discrimination in matters of employment codified in state legislative codes because discrimination in employment, as in housing, violates public policy. Anti-discrimination labor laws are often more extensive at the state level than at the federal level.

Do I Have a Basis for Governmental Agency-Related Discrimination?

A government is limited by the United States Constitution and the Code of Federal Regulations from passing laws or enacting regulations that have a disparate impact or disparately treat members of one group differently from non-members.

Legal Obstacles That Might Prevent a Claim

The main challenges for one seeking to redress federal discrimination grievances in court is that the case may be outside the jurisdiction of the federal court. Federal courts may determine that the case cannot be heard because it is moot, or is no longer a justiciable issue.

Should I Contact an Attorney?

Since individuals wishing to bring their discrimination lawsuit must first exhaust all of their administrative remedies, it is advisable for employees to consult with a qualified legal profession experienced in discrimination statutes.

What a Discrimination lawyer can do for you

Discrimination lawyers can help if you feel you’re being treated unfairly in an employment relationship based on a protected class (race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, citizenship status, and genetic information).

Why hire a Discrimination attorney

If you feel you've been discriminated against at your workplace based on your personal beliefs or the way you look or act, you may require the services of a discrimination lawyer.

What to do if you believe you have been discriminated against?

If you believe you’ve been discriminated against, talk to a discrimination lawyer before you do anything. Discrimination lawyers specialize in exercising the rights provided to you under anti-discrimination laws such as the Civil Rights Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, ...

What are the different types of discrimination?

Our attorneys are seasoned professionals who conduct high-quality investigations and work with experts in all types of discrimination lawsuits, including: 1 Age Discrimination 2 Racial Discrimination 3 Religious Discrimination 4 Disability Discrimination 5 Employment Discrimination 6 National Origin Discrimination 7 Sexual Preference Discrimination 8 Family and Medical Leave Discrimination 9 Gender or Gender Identity Discrimination

How long does it take to file a discrimination claim?

This claim must be filed within 180 days of the occurrence to protect the rights guaranteed you by law.

Is it illegal to fire an employee who filed a sexual harassment lawsuit?

For example, it’s illegal for a California employer to retaliate by firing an employee who has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit.

What is disability discrimination?

Titles I and V of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits employment discrimination of qualified individuals due to a disability. This applies to both private and government positions.

What are some examples of gender discrimination?

Some other examples of gender or sex discrimination include: Hiring (e.g., an applicant, with excellent credentials and qualifications is denied employment on the basis of sex) Firing (e.g., a female employee is let go due to “cutbacks,” while a male employee with less seniority remains employed)

What is the age discrimination in employment act?

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 protects employees over the age of 40 from discrimination in the workplace. Under the Act, employers are prohibited from: Offering different compensation, terms, or conditions of employment due to someone's age.

What is the federal law that prohibits discrimination?

Employment and labor laws prohibit discriminatory or unfair treatment of an applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or parental status. Federal law forbids “discrimination when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment.”

What is the discrimination act?

The Act prohibits harassment or other discrimination based on: Affiliation (affiliating with a particular religious group) Physical or Cultural Traits (e.g. , accent, language, or dress related to the religion) Perception (the mere belief an employee or potential employee is a member of a particular religious group)

What are the acts of discrimination based on disability?

Acts of discrimination based on disability may include: Denying an aid, benefit, or service that is provided to other employees. Refusing to engage in the interactive process to discuss reasonable accommodations for an employee with a disability. Providing different aids, benefits, or services unless necessary.

What is employer retaliation?

To protect employees who want to file a lawsuit or complaint against their employer, state and federal labor laws prohibit employers from engaging in retaliatory behavior. If an employee files a lawsuit or complaint for racial discrimination in the workplace, employers are prohibited, by law, from terminating, demoting, ...

Where to Begin Your Search

There are a number of ways you can find a lawyer, from a simple internet search to a referral from a friend or co-worker. There are also some local and state bar services that will refer a lawyer to you based on your needs — the American Bar Association provides a helpful directory of these services on its website.

Key Factors to Consider in Choosing a Lawyer

The most important step comes next when you research and meet with the lawyer. This will give you an opportunity to see how well the lawyer will fit your specific needs and represent you in your discrimination claim. Here are are a few of the key factors to keep in mind when you’re making the decision:

Make the Right Choice for You

If you need legal help with a discrimination claim, before you decide on which lawyer you’d like to hire, make sure you’ve researched the lawyer and met with them in person to discuss the aspects of their representation that are important to you.

What can an employment attorney do?

Another valuable asset an employment attorney can offer is closure. Your attorney can help you move on from the ugly experience you had with your employer. This may come through vindication at trial, but will most likely happen through an informal resolution or settlement that allows you to emotionally and financially transition to a new job or career path. Your attorney's task is, in part, to get you to that next stage.

What are the benefits of hiring an employment lawyer?

One of the biggest benefits of hiring an employment lawyer is that your lawyer can draw on years of experience to run you through a cost-benefit analysis. Your lawyer will walk you through the strengths and weaknesses of your case, the expense of discovery and trial, and the type and amount of damages you can recover if you win. Your lawyer will also assess the likelihood of winning and let you know if this assessment changes as the case progresses, so you can make informed decisions along the way.

What does an attorney do for an EEOC?

An attorney can evaluate the strength of your case, explain the implications of any settlement offers, and provide valuable advice on how you should proceed. Overall, it is up to each individual employee to decide whether to hire an attorney to assist in the EEOC process.

What is the process called when the EEOC finds reasonable cause to believe that discrimination has occurred?

If the EEOC finds reasonable cause to believe that discrimination has occurred, the agency will issue a Letter of Determination to both parties explaining the agency’s findings and inviting both parties to participate in a process called conciliation.

What does the EEOC do?

The EEOC investigates complaints made by employees against employers. It does not punish employers or award money to employees. The EEOC only investigates the facts of employees' complaints to see if there is any truth to them.

What is conciliation in employment law?

Like mediation, conciliation is a voluntary process by which both parties seek a mutually agreeable outcome with the help of a neutral third party. Regardless of whether the EEOC finds that discrimination occurred, it will give the employee a "right to sue" letter, which grants the employee permission to sue the employer in court.

How long does it take to file a complaint with the EEOC?

After discrimination occurs, employees have 180 days to file a complaint with the EEOC. In some states, the deadline is 300 days.

What happens after the EEOC receives a complaint?

After the EEOC receives an employee's discrimination complaint, the agency then contacts the employer to get its side of the story. The EEOC gathers relevant information from the employer and a Position Statement, which is a statement written by the employer (or the employer’s attorney) responding to the employee’s charge.

How long does it take for an EEOC to investigate an employee?

The EEOC usually must complete its investigation 180 days after an employee files ...

What to do if you are victim of discrimination?

If you are the victim of employment discrimination, you have the right to file a charge with the EEOC. You need an attorney to help you navigate the process and get the compensation you deserve. The experienced EEOC Representation attorneys at the Derek Smith Law Group can help.

Is discrimination in the workplace illegal?

Discrimination in the workplace is illegal under many federal laws . As a victim of workplace discrimination, you must file your discrimination or sexual harassment complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC is the federal agency that investigates and authorizes claims for unlawful employment discrimination and sexual harassment.

Can an employer contact you about a harassment claim?

Once an attorney represents you, your employer cannot contact you regarding your charge. Having an attorney will protect you from harassment from your employer regarding your claim. Any questions regarding the investigation should get directed towards your attorney.

Can an attorney settle a charge?

Finally, the defense can choose to offer a settlement for your charge during the investigation process. Your attorney can help you navigate the settlement process. They also will make sure you receive fair compensation. Without an attorney, your employer can easily take advantage and settle for pennies of what your case is worth.

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What Is Discrimination?

  • Discrimination may be generally defined as any situation where a person is treated less favorably due to their membership or association with a particular group or characteristic, such as their sex, age, gender, political affiliation, religion, or disability. It can also refer to situations where one group is treated more favorably than another gro...
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What Is Discrimination in The Workplace?

  • Employment discriminationis one of the more common types of discrimination. It can include situations where one group of employees is treated better than another group based on their membership in a protected class. It can also include other issues such as harassment involving discrimination(for instance, harassing a worker due to their age), termination, or denial of benefi…
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What Are Some Other Examples of Discrimination?

  • Discrimination claims can be based on a wide range of claims and disputes. Some of the more common examples of discrimination include: 1. Race and color discrimination 2. Religious discrimination 3. Political affiliation discrimination There may also be other cases of discrimination based on less common or less-well known characteristics and backgrounds. Man…
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What Are Some Less Well-Known Discrimination Claims?

  • Besides these, there are still other less well-known discrimination claims, which may include: 1. Accent discrimination 2. Immigrant discrimination 3. LGBT discrimination 4. Sex discrimination (especially with regards to grooming and appearance) 5. Transsexuality discrimination 6. Wage discrimination Also, some discrimination cases may involve multiple factors. For instance, it is p…
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Do Employees Have Rights to A Discrimination-Free Workplace?

  • All workers have a general right to a discrimination-free workplace. As mentioned, there are many federal, state, and local laws that guarantee workers a right to be free from discrimination in the workplace. This includes the right to fair pay, benefits such as medical and vacation, and promotions. Employers cannot deny workers these types of benefits if they qualify for them, bas…
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