What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need to Fight Workplace Discrimination?

Discrimination in the workplace is a serious issue that takes many forms. It can be overt or covert, and it can happen to anyone at any time.

If you have experienced workplace discrimination, you may be wondering about your legal rights and what kind of lawyer you need to fight back. Here’s what you need to know.

What are Your Legal Rights as an Employee?

The first step in understanding the kind of lawyer you need to fight workplace discrimination is to know your legal rights.

Discrimination is against the law, and federal, state, and city laws protect individuals from being discriminated against based on:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Sex
• National origin
• Age
• Disability
• Genetic information

To learn more about protections for New York City employees, check out this information about the NYC Human Rights Law.

Filing a Complaint

If you have been the victim of discrimination in your workplace, you may be able to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). You can also file a complaint with your state’s fair employment agency.

A lawyer who specializes in employment law can guide you through the process of filing a complaint with these agencies and help you understand your legal options.

The next step to understanding the kind of lawyer you need to fight workplace discrimination is to consider the type of discrimination you have experienced.

Discrimination can take many forms. Some of the most common discriminatory actions include:

• Termination/firing
• Demotion
• Denial of promotion
• Retaliation
• Harassment
• Denial of equal pay for equal work

You may need to hire a lawyer who specializes in a specific area of employment law. For example, were you a victim of sexual harassment? Hire a lawyer who specializes in sexual harassment cases.

Employer Size

The final step to understanding the kind of lawyer you need to fight workplace discrimination is to consider the size of your employer. If you work for a large employer, the company likely has a team of lawyers to defend against discrimination claims.

In this case, you may need to hire a lawyer who is experienced in litigating against large employers. Conversely, if you work for a small employer, you may need to hire a lawyer who is experienced in representing employees in small businesses.

Fighting workplace discrimination can be difficult, but hiring the right kind of lawyer makes all the difference. Working with someone who has experience not just in employment law, but specifically in discrimination cases in your area makes the process easier. Additionally, it can help to work with someone who’s dealt with your specific type of  case.

For more information or to speak to someone about your rights in the workplace if you face discrimination, contact Borrelli & Associates, P.L.L.C.