According to research, employee discrimination is rampant in the United States. In fact, a recent study found that nearly 60% of workers have experienced some form of discrimination in the workplace. Most of these people take the discrimination in silence out of fear.
The thing is, when you’re the victim of employment discrimination, it can be difficult to know what to do. You may feel scared, alone, or helpless. The good news is that you don’t have to face this situation alone.
If you’ve been the victim of employment discrimination, consult with an employment discrimination attorney. An experienced employment lawyer can help you understand your rights and options.
They’ll fight to get you the justice and compensation that you deserve. For this reason, this article discusses when it’s most appropriate to hire an employment discrimination attorney.
Your Coworkers Have Created a Hostile Working Environment
A hostile working environment is when an employee is made to feel uncomfortable or intimidated by their coworkers. It could be because of their race, gender, religion, or other protected characteristics. Some common signs of a hostile work environment include:
- Rude comments or jokes about your protected characteristic
- Physical threats or violence
- Intimidating behavior
- Exclusion from work events or meetings
- Having your work assignments sabotaged
If you’re dealing with a hostile work environment, it’s crucial to speak to an employment attorney as soon as possible. You see, when left unchecked, a hostile working environment can lead to serious psychological damage.
If you feel like you’re struggling to cope with the situation, it’s essential to reach out for help. An experienced employment lawyer can provide the guidance and support you need to get through this tough time.
You’ve Been Denied a Promotion or Raise
If you applied for a promotion or raise and were denied, it’s important to speak to an employment discrimination attorney. This is especially true if you feel like it was because of your race, gender, religion, or other protected characteristic.
In some cases, employers will deny an employee a promotion or raise because they’re trying to push them out of the company. If this is happening to you, it’s important to take legal action as soon as possible.
An experienced attorney can help you gather the evidence you need to prove that you were wrongfully denied a promotion or raise. They’ll also fight tirelessly to get you the compensation that you deserve.
You Were Wrongfully Fired
Do you feel like you were wrongfully terminated from your job? It may be worth consulting with an employment discrimination attorney.
There are a few different ways that wrongful termination can occur. For example, if you were fired in retaliation for reporting harassment at work.
Another example is getting fired for refusing to do something illegal.
Unwanted Sexual Advancements
If you are being harassed by a superior or coworker, this can create a hostile work environment.
Sexual harassment can include:
- Verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature
- Unwelcome sexual advances
- Requests for sexual favors
According to research, 40% of women experience sexual harassment at some point during their careers. This doesn’t necessarily mean that men are an exception as they go through it as well.
If you’re experiencing harassment at work, document the behavior and try to speak to a supervisor or human resources about the problem. If the situation is not resolved, or if you’re worried about retaliation, you may want to consult with an employment discrimination attorney.
An attorney can help you file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Either that or they’ll help you take other legal action against your employer.
You’re Facing Retaliation After Whistleblowing
If you report discrimination or harassment at work, you’re protected from retaliation by your employer. This means that your employer cannot take negative action against you, such as demoting you or cutting your hours, in response to your report. Unfortunately, retaliation is still a common problem in the workplace.
If you’ve reported discrimination at your job and are now facing retaliation from your employer, it’s time to seek legal help. Retaliation can take many forms, such as demotion, being passed over for a promotion, or even termination.
An experienced whistleblowers attorney will be able to help you prove that the actions taken against you were in retaliation for whistleblowing and get you compensation. They’ll help you file a claim of retaliation with the EEOC or take other legal action against your employer.
You’re Not Being Paid Fairly
You may believe you’re getting unfair pay because you’re getting less than others in your position. It could be because you’re not getting paid for all the hours you’ve worked, and an employment discrimination attorney can help.
There are a few different laws that protect employees from being underpaid, including the Equal Pay Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). If your employer has violated these laws, an attorney can help you file a claim and get the back pay you deserve.
The thing is, employment discrimination can be hard to prove, and most employers will have a team of lawyers to protect them. If you want to give yourself the best chance of success, it’s worth hiring an attorney specializing in this law area to file an employment discrimination lawsuit.
Also Read: Here’s Why You Should Hire a Tax Attorney
Hire an Employee Discrimination Attorney
If you think you’ve been the victim of employment discrimination, don’t hesitate to reach out to an employment discrimination attorney for help. With their knowledge and experience, they can evaluate your case and tell you your legal options.
Did you find this article informative? Are you able to make an informed decision about hiring the best employee discrimination lawyer? In that case, check out our blog for more advice.
