The United States is a country where people are given equal opportunities. However, illegal discrimination still occurs in a lot of places. Victims can be discriminated against because of their race, religion, age, gender, or disability. Thankfully, a great charlotte nc employment attorney can help them fight back.
Often, victims of workplace discrimination may already know they may be fired. If you are in this situation, make sure to consult a lawyer while you still have your job. This way, you can easily collect important evidence and take measures to counter the plan of the company to wrongfully terminate you or retaliate against you.
Laws that Prohibit Discrimination in the Workplace
Anti-discrimination laws are in place to prohibit employers from discriminating against a job applicant or an employee due to their sex, race, pregnancy, age, national origin, or disability. Under such laws, workers get protection during different stages of their employment, from recruitmentto compensation, termination, job treatment, and promotion. Thus, taking adverse employment actions such as refusing to hire, denying equal compensation and benefits, denying promotions, harassing, terminating, and demoting is unlawful.
Dealing with Workplace Discrimination
Discrimination in the workplace can take many forms. If you think someone on the job is discriminating, here’s what you can do:
- Make the person aware of how you feel about the discrimination. Sometimes, letting your employer or coworker know that their conduct is not welcome and not acceptable may let them feel embarrassed, hoping they would correct their conduct.
- Make it clear to your boss that you are serious about your complaint. Whenever you report an incident of discrimination in the workplace, ask that a report will be written. Also, ask your employer to conduct an investigation into your allegations and punish the offender.
- Get in touch with the EEOC. This step must be done if your employer ignores your complaint. Involving the agency in your case may help you get somebody’s attention quickly.
- Document incidents. Record details of every harassment incident you experience on the job including the date, time, location, witnesses, and parties involved.
When Termination is Not Legal
A lot of employees in the state are hired “at will.” Thus, they can leave their job for whatever reason they have. Also, this means their employers can fire them with or without a reason. But, employers cannot just terminate an employee based on discrimination or as a form of retaliation.Wrongful termination is illegal and victims can hold their employers accountable for their actions.