How Can Workplace Discrimination Harm You?

Despite the federal and state laws in place that prohibit employers from discriminating against employees due to their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or other protected characteristic, this behavior continues to occur across a range of industries. In addition to being illegal, workplace discrimination can chip away at a person’s confidence, making it difficult to complete daily tasks and thrive in their job. This can also take a serious toll on an employee’s physical and mental health, particularly if the discriminatory behavior is severe and ongoing. If your employer has discriminated against you, resulting in physical, emotional, or financial harm, it is highly recommended that you contact an experienced discrimination lawyer at your earliest convenience.

What Are the Most Common Types of Discrimination in the Workplace?

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), there was a significant increase in discrimination cases in 2024. The agency received over 500,000 calls and 81,055 new charges, despite the federal and state laws that are meant to protect employees’ legal rights. The most common forms of discrimination that were reported include retaliation, racial discrimination, and age discrimination. The following, are additional examples of discrimination that commonly occur in the workplace:

Disability.
Gender identity.
Sexual orientation.
National origin.
Race.
Religion.
Pregnancy.
Marital status.

What Are the Harmful Consequences of Workplace Discrimination?

Workplace discrimination can have serious consequences that go far beyond simply having a bad day. On one end of the spectrum, it can create an environment of fear and stress. On the other extreme, if the behavior is particularly severe or egregious, it can cause a range of physical and emotional issues that make it difficult to do your job, maintain healthy relationships with family and friends, and navigate the daily stresses associated with work and life. The following, are examples of some of the harmful consequences you may experience if you face ongoing discrimination in the workplace:

Loss of job opportunities. If your employer treats you unfairly due to your race, religion, gender, sexuality, age, or other protected class, you could face a range of negative employment consequences. The following, are examples of how discrimination can impact job opportunities:
– You were passed over for a promotion due to your race or gender, whereas a white male gets promoted, despite being less qualified.
– You are not invited to an important dinner with clients because you have children, and your employer assumes that you are the caregiver and need to get home.
– You are not hired after a prospective employer asked an offensive question about your sexuality during the interview.
Toxic work environment. When a pattern of bias develops, this creates a toxic environment, where fear grows, trust fades, and discriminatory behavior continues to occur. While a healthy and productive workplace culture is based on fairness and respect, a toxic work environment breeds mistrust, negativity, disrespect, and anxiety. Examples of discriminatory behavior that causes toxic work environments include offensive jokes, unequal pay, and unfair job assignments.
Financial loss. Whether you are not hired for a position, were passed over for a promotion or salary increase, or you were unfairly terminated from your position, this can be financially devastating if you are unable to earn a fair wage due to an employer’s discriminatory behavior. In addition to making it difficult to pay your monthly expenses, these financial obstacles make it difficult to put money away for college, retirement, and unexpected expenses.
Mental and emotional stress. Discrimination in the workplace can cause a range of mental health issues, from depression and anxiety to extreme feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts. There are a number of studies that demonstrate a clear connection between workplace discrimination and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Self-reported racial discrimination is particularly prevalent when it comes to causing major depression among minority groups.
Physical health issues. When employees experience extreme and ongoing stress, anxiety, depression, feelings of isolation, and low self-esteem, it can take a serious toll on their physical health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), work-related stress is a serious public health issue that affects millions of employees worldwide. Workplace discrimination can cause the following stress-related health complications:
– Heart disease.
– Hypertension.
– Gastrointestinal issues.
– Immunosuppression.
– Diabetes.
– Chronic pain and fatigue.
– Obesity.
– Cancer.
– Substance abuse.

What Can I Do to Prevent Workplace Discrimination from Continuing?

If you have been discriminated against by your employer due to your race, religion, nation of origin, gender, age, sexuality, disability, or any other protected class, there are steps you can take to ensure that your legal rights are protected, and that the discriminatory behavior does not continue. In Pennsylvania, you can file an official complaint with the EEOC or the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC):

Report the discrimination to your supervisor or a Human Resources professional.
If the issue is not resolved internally, you may file a complaint with the PHRC or the EEOC within 180 days of the last discriminatory act. If you file your complaint after the deadline passes, your claim will likely be denied and you will be unable to pursue legal action or recover any damages. The PHRC handles complaints under the PHRA for employers with four or more employees, whereas the EEOC handles federal discrimination complaints. Oftentimes, filing with one agency gets your complaint cross-filed with the other.
The agency conducts an investigation. The EEOC or PHRC will gather information from you and your employer about the complaint, determine whether your rights have been violated, and proceed with an investigation. Depending on the evidence available, the EEOC or PHRC may recommend resolving the complaint through mediation.
If the issue is not resolved through mediation, the agency will file a lawsuit on your behalf, or they will issue you a “Right-to-Sue” letter allowing you to file a lawsuit in court. A highly skilled discrimination lawyer will guide you through every step of the complaint process, address any questions or concerns you may have, and negotiate the best possible settlement outcome.

What Evidence Do I Need to Prove Workplace Discrimination?

In order to have a successful discrimination claim, you will need to prove that your employment rights were violated by gathering as much evidence as possible. There are two main types of evidence, including the following:

Direct evidence: These are explicit statements or actions that provide a clear and straightforward basis for proving a violation of your employment rights. Examples include emails, text messages or other electronic communications that contain discriminatory statements or directives.
Indirect evidence: Also known as “circumstantial evidence,” this is used to establish that a policy or practice has a negative impact on individuals who are part of a protected class. For example, if an employer has a history of not hiring or promoting certain employees due to their gender or race, this is discriminatory behavior.

The following, are examples of evidence that can help support your claim and improve your chances of winning your case:

Copies of any emails, text messages, voicemails, or other correspondences that are offensive, harassing, or discriminatory.
Detailed notes about the discrimination. Keep personal records about the workplace discrimination you experienced, including the date, time, and location of the behavior, as well as any other relevant information that may provide evidence of discrimination.
Witness statements. If there were co-workers or other witnesses who observed the discriminatory behavior firsthand, their statement can help strengthen your claim.
Copies of relevant documents.

What Damages Am I Entitled to in a Discrimination Complaint?

If you are able to prove workplace discrimination, you may be entitled to the following damages:

Reinstatement of employment and benefits.
Back pay, which is wages you would have earned from the date of termination to the resolution of your case. This ensures that you are compensated for the financial losses you incurred before the case is resolved.
Front pay, which is awarded if reinstatement is not possible. This covers future earnings you would have received if you were terminated for discriminatory reasons.
Reimbursement for medical expenses associated with a health condition caused by stress.
Ongoing therapy with a mental health professional to address anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues caused by the discriminatory behavior.
Reimbursement for benefit premiums.
Pain and suffering.
Lawyer’s fees.
“Punitive” damages if the discriminatory behavior was particularly malicious. These damages are meant to punish the employer and prevent this type of behavior from continuing to occur.

Our Philadelphia Discrimination Lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. Advocate for Victims of Workplace Discrimination

If you were discriminated against in the workplace, causing you to suffer negative physical, emotional, or financial consequences, do not hesitate to contact our Philadelphia discrimination lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. Employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees based on a protected class. Our highly skilled legal team will conduct a thorough investigation, assist you with the process of filing an official complaint, and negotiate the best possible settlement outcome. We will continue to fight for you until you are completely satisfied. To schedule a free consultation, call today at 215-569-1999 or contact us online. With office locations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Pennsauken, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas.