No matter what industry you work in, you deserve to feel safe and respected when you go into work. If you are getting discriminated against, however, it can make it every work day that much more difficult. Workplace discrimination is a form of discrimination based on legally protected characteristics, like race, religion, gender, age and disability. You do not have to stand for this type of treatment forever.
Here are the steps you should follow if you believe you are being discriminated against.
Facing discrimination at work is tough and can make you feel angry and hurt. However, it is important to remain calm and avoid doing anything rash, like quitting your job or lashing out at your coworkers.
If you have already complained to your supervisor or HR department of your mistreatment, you should keep copies of your written complaints. By keeping copies, you will have written proof of discrimination to back up any future claims you may wish to file.
As a employment litigation lawyer from Eric Siegel Law can confirm, it is illegal for employers to retaliate against employees for reporting discrimination. Unfortunately, however, some employers may still try to get away with it. If your employer attempts to retaliate against you after you report discrimination, try to record it.
In order to successfully establish workplace discrimination, you must provide sufficient evidence. That is why you should collect any information that indicates mistreatment, such as photos, screenshots or videos. The more information you have, the better it is for your case. For example, if you received an email from a coworker that made fun of your religion, you should save the email for your records.
Many companies nowadays have put in writing that they do not tolerate discrimination in the workplace. If you plan to pursue damages for discrimination, this can work to your benefit. Obtain a copy of your company’s anti-discrimination policy in the handbook.
If your employer has not done anything to put a stop to the discrimination, it can be disheartening. However, that does not mean you should give up. Your next step should be to contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The agency will review your case and determine if discrimination has occurred or not.
Navigating a discrimination case on your own can be daunting. That is why it may be helpful to speak with an employment lawyer. An experienced lawyer has extensive knowledge about anti-discrimination laws and can review your unique case and decide if you have any legal recourse. If you do have legal recourse, your lawyer can help you build a strong case against your employer and be by your side every step of the way. This can give you peace of mind.
Schedule a meeting with an employment lawyer today to talk about your options.
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