Employment discrimination is the act of treating you, an employee, or potential employee, differently than your work peers. In Washington, D.C., you must prove that this mistreatment occurred because you are a member of a protected class. Federal, district, and state laws prohibit federal and private employers from treating employees differently because of certain characteristics. This is called employment discrimination. Employment lawyers specialize in such cases.
What is Employment Discrimination?
Employment discrimination is an area of employment law that addresses when an employer treats you differently than other employees based on specific characteristics. These characteristics include age, race, religion, national origin, disability, and pregnancy. The “unfair treatment” takes many forms such as sexual harassment, demotion, wrongful termination, and less pay. Employment law groups specialize in practice areas that address wrongful workplace treatment, which may be subtle or overt. For example, your employer or co-workers may use racial slurs in your presence, or coerce you into a compromising situation.
Employment discrimination can happen even if the employer didn’t hire you. A potential employer may refuse to hire you because of your age, race, gender, or national origin. This is illegal under labor law.
Washington, D.C. employees have even more protection under the DC Human Rights Act of 1977 (DCHRA). The DCHRA is much broader than federal anti-discrimination statues. The DCHRA protects a total of 15 actual or perceived traits related employment.
Other Organizations Connected to Employment Can’t Discrimination Against You
It is also illegal for labor organizations and unions to deny you membership or discriminate against you when seeking apprenticeship opportunities. Thus, these organizations can’t use any characteristic about you such as race to discriminate against you when you’re a qualified candidate. Anti-discrimination laws give you the right to file a claim against any union or labor organization that discriminates against you.
Remedies Available for Employment Discrimination
The first step in fighting employment discrimination is working with an attorney. You must also file an employment discrimination complaint with the appropriate agency such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC is a federal government agency that enforces civil rights law against discrimination. Remedies are available if your claim is successfully proven. These remedies include back pay, money, punitive damages, attorney fees, and make-whole relief. Make-whole relief involves placing you in the job position you were unlawfully denied.
You Have the Right to Fight Employment Discrimination in Washington, D.C.
You work to provide for your family, to gain experience for other job opportunities or to receive a paycheck. You don’t work to endure discrimination. There are laws and law firms in Washington, D.C. to prevent these unfortunate practices. If you were the target of employment discrimination in the District of Columbia, you have a legal advocate. HKM Employment Attorneys LLP is a law office committed to fighting for employee fairness. Our attorneys have successfully helped employees in every industry prove work discrimination. Contact us today for assistance with your case.
