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Working in a hostile environment can cause extreme stress and anxiety. During a difficult time like this, a person may need reassurance that what they’re experiencing is discrimination before seeking legal help. The following signs may be an indication that you are experiencing discrimination:
1. Unfair Treatment
There are laws set in place to protect employees from discrimination in the workplace. One of those laws, The Equal Pay Act of 1963, makes it illegal to pay men and women different wages if they perform the same work in the same workplace. Because discussions of salary in the workplace can be difficult to bring up, sometimes employers can get away with this.
Transparency is necessary—if you believe that your co-worker is making more than you for the same amount of work, you may be able to file a discrimination lawsuit.
2. Unnecessary Hiring Practices
Discrimination can even start as early as the hiring process. Some examples of unnecessary hiring practices include making assumptions about the interviewee’s age, gender, or race, asking inappropriate questions, and doing unnecessary tasks unrelated to the position. If your mind is still set on this job, ask to speak with the interviewer’s supervisor to discuss your experience.
3. Harassment
Its unlawful for you to be harassed because of a protected characteristic, such as you age, gender, religion, disability, sexual preference, race, or national origin. Despite these laws, unlawful harassment can occur even the most distinguished workplaces. Some signs of unlawful workplace harassment include:
- Physical abuse
- Bullying
- Psychological harassment—this includes condescending comments or belittling remarks.
- Sexual harassment
- Unwelcomed teasing about your age, gender, religion, disability, sexual preference, race, or national origin.
4. Retaliation
Federal and State law protects workers from retaliation when a worker has complained of something unlawful the company has done. Frequently, employees experience unlawful retaliation when they complain that they are being harassed or treated differently because of their age, gender, religion, disability, sexual preference, race, or national origin. But employees can also experience retaliation when they exercise rights to medical leave or file workers compensation claims. It is unlawful for a company to change the terms or conditions of your employment because you have complained about any of these things.
5. Lack of Diversity
If you notice a lack of diversity in your workplace regarding race, gender, or sex, this can sometimes be a sign of discriminatory practices. Diversity in leadership can also tell who has opportunities within the company and who doesn’t.
Utah Discrimination Attorneys
Discrimination claims are difficult to move forward with, but it has to be done for the sake of yourself and your fellow employees. The team at Pearson Butler wants you to know that we are here for you. Contact our firm today if you have any questions or want to move forward with filing a discrimination claim.
When you’re ready, contact our firm at Phone or visit our fill out a consultation request form to get in touch with one of our employment attorneys.
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