Employee Rights: Protections from Discrimination in the Workplace

Our blog last week discussed rights you have during the hiring process. You also have workplace protections against discrimination after you an employer hires you. There are multiple laws that can protect employees from discrimination in the workplace.

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: This law protects workers from discrimination based on their sex, race, color, national origin and religion. This means employers subject to the law cannot use these characteristics as a basis for firing, demoting, harassing or mistreating employees. Title VII also bars sexual harassment.
• The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act protects women during pregnancy and while taking maternity leave. This law was an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act: Disabled employees have protections against workplace discrimination. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires employers subject to the law to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled workers. These are adjustments to job duties that do not impose an undue hardship on employers.

Are You a Victim of Discrimination in the Workplace?

Discrimination can target employees in the form of slurs and other types of verbal harassment. This type of bullying may be illegal if workers are singled out for being members of a protected class.

Discrimination can also involve employment decisions that harm workers. For example, an employer may fire workers for being members of a protected class.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult for workers to fight back against discrimination without the help of an experienced attorney. Employers may attempt to retaliate against workers who report workplace discrimination.

Dallas labor law attorney Dan. A. Atkerson can help workers fight back against illegal workplace discrimination.