Anyone who has felt the sting of discrimination knows the injustice of the act is unlike any other. Discrimination can leave a person bewildered, uncertain of themselves, and disheartened. Discrimination in the workplace is especially difficult because the employee often feels powerless to fight back. Fortunately, various federal and state laws are in place to protect individuals from workplace discrimination.
Those who believe they have been a victim of discrimination are urged to consult an experienced employment discrimination lawyer to help ensure their rights are protected. Discrimination is not limited to certain races or ethnic groups. The following are four ways anyone could face discrimination in the workplace.
Gender
Gender discrimination in the workplace can affect men and women in different ways. While some forms are more overt, such as those related to sexual harassment, other forms gender discrimination are subtler, though no less harmful. For example, women are often expected to handle more domestic-related duties in the workplace such as making coffee, organizing events, answering phones, and taking notes at meetings. Men too can be expected to fulfill their traditional roles by being asked to work overtime because they have a family to support or being expected to take a leadership role in the company, two areas that also can negatively impact women.
Family Matters
Most people need to take time away from work at some point to care for someone they love who has fallen ill. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protects employees who must take time off to care for their own health or that of a family member’s. The time permitted is up to 12 weeks. Many employers may grudgingly allow the time off, but later treat the employee as less-than-desirable and overlook them for promotions, raises, and other positions in the company. Such unfair treatment may be considered discrimination or retaliation.
Part Time Employment
People who work part-time are often looked upon as less dedicated to the company, less able to perform the job, or simply less involved. Part-time employees are often excluded from events, overlooked for promotions, and generally made to feel like an outsider. Additionally, studies have shown that many full-time workers express resentment towards their part-time counterparts because of the flexibility afforded by their part-time status. This can also lead to discrimination or harassment.
Age
It goes without saying that everyone will age. Even though age discrimination is illegal, many companies do so without fear of penalty. This is largely because proving age discrimination can be difficult. Before an interview, an employer can tell the age of a person by the year they graduated from school. After an interview, an employer can simply choose another candidate. There have even been reports of interviewees stating that the interview directly said something that indicated there was age discrimination at play. On the job, older employees are often overlooked for promotions and raises.
Bucks County Discrimination Lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. Protect the Rights of Discrimination Victims
In over 30 years in employment law practice, the Bucks County discrimination lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. have developed a keen awareness of discrimination in the workplace. We are committed to protecting victims of discrimination resulting in adverse employment actions including wrongful termination. If you believe you are being discriminated against by an employer, we will review your case at no cost. Contact us online or call 215-569-1999 now. We represent clients throughout the greater Philadelphia area including South Jersey.
