The workplace should be a place where all individuals can pursue a career without facing discrimination. Unfortunately, many workers and candidates for employment are subjected to discrimination and exclusion in the modern workplace. Despite state and federal labor laws prohibiting discrimination in the workplace, many workers are still discriminated against, jeopardizing their ability to earn a living or succeed in the workplace.
Whether you were subjected to crude remarks or unlawful employment action, a St. Louis workplace discrimination lawyer could help you to stand up for your rights as an employee. Let one of our employment law attorneys assist in investigating the incident, explaining current anti-discrimination laws, and pursuing an appropriate legal remedy.
According to federal labor laws, business owners cannot discriminate against employees or candidates for employment on the basis of certain protected factors. Specifically, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal for any employer to discriminate against a worker on the basis of:
Missouri law expands upon this list of protected classes to include anti-discrimination protections for ancestry, age, and disability. Fortunately, federal law also recognizes the need for protections against age and disability discrimination in the workplace in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, respectively.
It is also illegal for employers to refuse to hire someone, provide different compensation packages, or issue different work responsibilities on the basis of any of these protected factors. A St. Louis attorney could provide more information about state and federal laws concerning workplace discrimination and help workers determine whether their employers have violated their employment rights.
While there is no doubt that discrimination in the workplace is illegal, a worker’s options to obtain justice are limited. As a first step, aggrieved employees must file a charge of discrimination through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This agency has the power to investigate instances of discrimination and to hold employers accountable for their actions. However, employees who have faced discrimination at work must file a complaint within 180 days of the alleged incident.
Anyone who files a charge of discrimination through the EEOC can request a Notice of Right to Sue. This would allow an aggrieved worker to file a complaint against their employer in civil court for:
A local lawyer could help anyone who has been subjected to discriminatory behavior at work pursue private lawsuits against their employers and obtain the compensation they deserve.
Workplace discrimination still happens in St. Louis workplaces. Every person deserves a fair chance to earn a living free from derogatory comments and adverse employment action on the basis of who they are. Both state and federal laws prohibit workplace discrimination, and any worker who experiences prejudice behavior has the right to file a complaint, seek reinstatement in a position, or pursue other appropriate remedies.
A St. Louis workplace discrimination lawyer is here to take the lead in holding your boss accountable for either participating in or allowing discriminatory behavior to take place. Give us a call today to learn more.
