Discrimination is Illegal at Any Stage of Employment

Workplace discrimination is the act of treating a person or a particular group unfairly based on personal or institutional prejudice. In an establishment, it is illegal to discriminate against any employee under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The issue is that sometimes, a company’s bigotry is not entirely conspicuous, making it difficult for the workers themselves to pinpoint what’s happening.

Types of Employment Discrimination

Intolerance manifests in many different ways. Every person has a unique case because this matter is so subjective. Although some states may have additional protections, federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of:

• Gender
• Age
• Disability
• Religion
• Race
• Sexual orientation
• Pregnancy
• National origin

Additionally, sexual harassment lawsuits sometimes fall under this category, fitting the description of sexism. These occurrences often result in wrongful termination, which is also illegal. Tension stemming from injustice may also create a hostile work environment. An experienced workplace discrimination attorney will listen to your case and help you figure out what category it falls under.

When Employment Discrimination Occurs

A company that exhibits biased practices in any of these categories is likely engaging in some form of workplace discrimination:

• Hiring
• Job assignment
• Compensation
• Setting wages
• Testing
• Promotion

Sometimes, co-workers or bosses show their partiality right away, making it evident that they’re engaging in unlawful practices. For example, someone outwardly announcing that they don’t hire a particular race or nationality is blatant racial discrimination. This is a little easier to prove to a court, especially if there are witnesses.

Discrimination Lurks in Employment Practices

Hidden discrimination is much harder to notice and prove. In this case, it’s best to speak to a lawyer that can help you gather the right evidence. Most states are particularly strict when it comes to occurrences of intolerance, so most people aren’t apparent about their biases.

Instead, an administrator may find subtle ways to express bias. For example, a manager might repeatedly give fewer shifts to a group of co-workers with a similar national origin. These actions are almost unnoticeable, mainly because the manager can justify his behavior with a common excuse (i.e., not enough hours, less qualified, hired later). Similar actions can happen in any workplace. A male boss repeatedly promoting men over women, despite qualified candidates, is an example of discrimination. So is a corporation refusing to hire individuals past a certain age.

An Attorney Can Help You Get Justice

Unfortunately, employers continue to illegally discriminate against employees or job candidates throughout the employment process. In Colorado, workers have state and federal protections to guard them against these practices.

If your coworkers or superiors mistreat you at work, consider filing a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission with the help of an attorney. It’s hard to argue these types of cases, especially since most reputable companies have a team of lawyers at their disposal to fight allegations of discrimination. You need your own lawyer to protect your interests. Attorney Nathan Davidovich has over 55 years of experience representing employees in Denver who have been harmed by discrimination. Call (303) 825-5529 or complete our contact form to discuss your claim.