Discrimination is still common in today’s society, including in the workplace. Employment discrimination can take on many forms and can cause a lot of tension. Coworkers, customers, vendors, and managers may all be affected.Â
Employment discrimination can happen to anyone. Employees may be victims, and employers may be wrongfully accused. Dealing with discrimination can be a stressful situation. Here is how to defend yourself if the situation arises.Â
Understand the Laws
What exactly is employment discrimination? It refers to unfavorable treatment based on someone’s race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, or genetic information. Discrimination can happen in any part of employment, including hiring, firing, promotion, job assignments, and pay.Â
Some examples include not being hired because of your age, being fired due to your race, not receiving the same pay and treatment as co-workers, and experiencing a toxic work environment.Â
These are laws under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) at the federal level. There may also be local and state laws that apply. In addition, your employer may have guidelines regarding discrimination in the workplace. Make sure to read your employee handbook to learn more.
Keep Records
Take note of everything that has happened. This will help you remember what happened. Include details such as who, what, when, where, and how. Save any audio, video, emails, and texts to prove the discrimination. The more evidence you have, the easier it will be to prove your case.
Report the Discrimination
Once you have thorough documentation, report the discrimination to the appropriate party at work, whether that is your supervisor, manager, or human resources. This informs them of the situation and puts the ball in their court. Ideally, your company will do something to stop this discriminatory behavior. The person who is discriminating against you should be punished in some way. If nothing is done, though, that is when you will need to employ the next step.
Hire a Lawyer
If your employer takes no action, then you should seek legal representation. An experienced employment law attorney can review the evidence you have regarding the discrimination. They can assess the situation and create a timeline of events.
If your case is worth pursuing, your attorney can help you file a complaint against your employer. Your company will then be held liable for its failure to act. You could receive compensation for your damages, such as emotional or any out-of-pocket expenses you incurred due to the discrimination.
Contact Us Today
Employment discrimination is still a common occurrence in workplaces across Illinois. Whether you are an employee or an employer, it is best to know how to protect yourself.
An Illinois employment discrimination attorney from The Law Office of Mitchell A. Kline can help. We represent clients who are wrongly accused of discrimination as well as victims. We can create a successful strategy that will help you get justice. Call (312) 558-1454 or fill out the online form to schedule a free initial consultation.
