Employment Discrimination: Know Your Rights
Employment discrimination can affect hiring, promotions, compensation, workplace conditions, termination, and other important aspects of employment.
Employees have legal protections against discrimination based on protected characteristics and may have remedies when unlawful workplace practices occur.
What is employment discrimination?
Employment discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or applicant differently because of a legally protected characteristic.
Protected categories may include race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, disability, age, and other protected classifications under applicable law.
What workplace actions can be discriminatory?
Discrimination may occur in hiring, firing, promotions, assignments, compensation, benefits, training, discipline, classification, or other terms and conditions of employment.
What are examples of employment discrimination?
Examples may include refusing to hire someone because of a protected characteristic, unequal pay, denying reasonable accommodations, discriminatory discipline, harassment, or retaliation.
What is retaliation?
Retaliation occurs when an employer takes adverse action against an employee for engaging in legally protected activity, such as reporting discrimination, participating in an investigation, or opposing unlawful conduct.
What should an employee do if they believe they experienced discrimination?
Employees should consider documenting incidents, preserving relevant communications, reviewing workplace policies, and seeking legal advice regarding available options.