A sex discrimination suit can be delicate and intricate. Trust our qualified, seasoned employment lawyers who understand employment law and fight for your best interests. Sex discrimination, as well as gender and pregnancy discrimination, is illegal in the United States under the Civil Rights Act and the Equal Pay Act.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) interprets and enforces the prohibition of sex discrimination by forbidding any employment discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. These protections supersede any state or local laws. According to the EEOC, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not explicitly mention sexual orientation or gender identity in its list of protected criteria.
However, the EEOC interprets the law’s sex discrimination provision as prohibiting discrimination against employees based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This interpretation is consistent with Supreme Court case law stating that employment actions based on gender stereotyping are unlawful sex discrimination.
At the state level, the DC Human Rights Act of 1977 further protects District of Columbia employees against sex discrimination.
What is Sex Discrimination?
Sex discrimination involves treating people differently at the place of work because of their gender. It includes being rejected for a job you qualify, being paid less, being mistreated or getting lesser benefits compared to other employees in the same position. Women are more likely to face sex-based discrimination at their place of employment.
What Are Examples of Unlawful Discrimination?
Hiring & Firing: Sometimes women apply for jobs for which they are qualified and experienced. However, a lesser-qualified male is given the job because of the employer’s preference. Despite the woman being capable, there could be sex discrimination during hiring. Women can face wrongful termination discrimination where a woman with a good track record is laid off during company reorganization, and her male counterparts keep their jobs.
Job Classification: Sex discrimination is prevalent in job classifications where women may get a demotion if they reduce their overtime to attend to family matters. It often occurs to mothers who return from maternity leave. New mothers have the right to dedicate their free time to their newborns. However, discriminating employers equate the time reduced in overtime as a reduction in productivity, which is not right.
Pay: The Equal Pay Act states that employees in the same job class, with the same qualifications and performing the same duties should get equal pay. However, that is not often the case. Women are sometimes paid a lower salary compared to men in the same position in a similar company. Sometimes male co-workers with lower qualifications and experience are paid more and given more official positions in a company.
Benefits: The benefit that has the most discrimination is health coverage. Women may not get health coverage under the assumption that they are dependents under their husband’s health insurance. This discrimination puts women in a tough situation if their spouses lose their jobs. They have to incur higher medical expenses because they lack medical coverage.
Federal law is evident in that it is illegal for employers to discriminate against people during hiring, firing, promotions, pay, benefits, or other employment terms and conditions based on their sex. If you find yourself facing sex discrimination at work in Washington, D.C, contact our law firm to get legal advice from a discrimination attorney. You might have a discrimination case. Our sex discrimination lawyers in the District of Columbia have vast experience. We will ensure you get equal pay, benefits, and treatment from your employer.
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