When we are applying for a new job or being evaluated at our existing job, we hope to be judged based on our performance and not on our appearance or identity. Discrimination in the workplace is a serious situation. Not only can it make your job in Hempstead nearly impossible to perform, but it can also affect your ability to get a new job or progress in your company.
Although some types of discrimination are obvious, other forms are subtle. This can make it hard for someone to know whether they potentially have a claim against their employer for discriminating against them or allowing discrimination in the workplace. Being the subject of discrimination at work can be incredibly isolating. In some cases, the victim remains silent out of fear of retaliation. An employment discrimination lawyer at our firm can help you through the process in Hempstead.
Identifying Employment Discrimination
Discrimination in the workplace happens when an employer or supervisor treats you differently based on:
- Race
- Age
- Gender
- Religion
- Sexual orientation
- National origin
- Physical or mental disability
- Gender identity
There are many different ways that adverse treatment can happen, including termination, not hiring you, demotion, being passed over for a promotion, receiving different pay, and being given fewer opportunities than other workers.
For example, if you are passed over for a promotion because you are expecting a child or wear a hijab, this is discrimination in the workplace. If you are not sure you were the target of discrimination, it is a good idea to speak to an employment discrimination lawyer at our firm about your situation in Hempstead to get some clarity about whether you can take legal action.
Compensatory Damages You May Receive in Your Employment Discrimination Case
The amount of compensation you may receive for employment discrimination depends on the circumstances of your unique case. Compensatory damages are designed to pay for a victim’s out-of-pocket expenses as a result of the discrimination. These could include:
● Costs related to a job search
● Medical expenses (e.g., you are pregnant and the discrimination caused you and the unborn baby stress that required medical treatment)
● Emotional distress
● Inconvenience
You may also be able to recover lawyer’s fees and court costs based on the facts of your case. In some cases, a judge may award punitive damages to punish an employer and send a message that any kind of discrimination in the workplace is unacceptable.
Hempstead Employment Discrimination Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Federal Protections for Discrimination
There are laws at the federal, state, and local levels prohibiting various types of discrimination. You should explore your rights under each of these laws to ensure that you are aware of all your options. In some cases, the law will require that your employer has a minimum number of employees for the protections to apply.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for enforcing regulations against discrimination at the federal level. If you pursue compensation through this system, you will first need to file a claim with the EEOC before you can file a claim in civil court. There are many different laws that the EEOC enforces, such as:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- The Pregnancy Discrimination Act
- The Equal Pay Act of 1963
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
- Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
- Sections 102 and 103 of the Civil Rights Act of 1991
- Sections 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008
Each of these laws may offer you some type of protection and make you eligible to receive financial compensation from your employer in Hempstead. The employment discrimination lawyers at our firm are familiar with these laws and can help you determine how they may apply to your situation.
New York Protections for Workers
In New York, the Division of Human Rights is responsible for enforcing the state’s anti-discrimination laws. There are many laws in the state that are aimed at protecting employees from discrimination and harassment, such as the New York State Human Rights Law. These laws make it illegal to discriminate against someone based on the factors we listed earlier.
New York has passed additional laws that protect employees in a variety of ways. For instance, it is illegal to discriminate against someone for the use of a service dog, marital status, prior convictions, caregiver status, or their status as a domestic violence survivor. The laws also require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for victims of stalking, cyberbullying, and domestic violence.
If you believe you were discriminated against based on one of these characteristics, you may have a viable legal claim against your employer for damages. There are also two different places where you can pursue a state-based claim for workplace discrimination in New York:
- The New York Division of Human Rights (DHR)
- The New York Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
These agencies work together along with the EEOC to cooperate on claims involving workplace discrimination.
Why Seek the Help of a Lawyer for Employment Discrimination
If you can establish that your employer engaged in discrimination or allowed it to happen in the workplace, you may be awarded compensation. However, because there are different laws and places where you can file a claim, the process can become incredibly overwhelming and complicated.
It is important to follow procedural rules about where to file certain paperwork and adhere to deadlines for filing your claim. If you fail to follow these rules, you may jeopardize your right to receive compensation from your employer.
Rather than take all of these burdens onto your shoulders, you could hire our team to handle them for you. As your representatives, we will protect your case and ensure that each step is followed along the path to financial recovery.
We Get Real Results for Our Clients
At Morelli Law Firm, we are passionate advocates for our clients. In fact, we have won millions of dollars in awards and court verdicts for our clients, putting money directly into their pockets. Take a look at some of the results from the cases we have won:
● $1.8 Million – Awarded to four men who worked for a large bank and became victims of a workplace bullying campaign against them
● $1.425 Million – Awarded to a woman who worked from home and sued her CEO for sexual harassment
● $1.355 Million – Awarded to a man who was working as in-house counsel at his company and sued after being fired for internal complaints about SOX violations (law meant to protect investors from fraudulent accounting activities by a corporation)
If you have been the victim of workplace discrimination, do not delay your pursuit of justice. A lawyer from our firm who handles employment discrimination cases in Hempstead can analyze your case, interview eyewitnesses, and work to get you the compensation you deserve.
Call Morelli Law Firm Today to Get Started
A workplace discrimination lawyer at Morelli Law Firm may be able to help you pursue the justice you deserve after being the victim of discrimination at work. For a free and confidential consultation on your Hempstead case, call our office now at (212) 751-9800.