Pennsauken Workplace Discrimination Lawyers

Workplace discrimination can be a devastating experience that impacts your well-being, career, and financial security. If you are in Pennsauken and facing discrimination at work, it is important to understand your rights and how to protect them. Discrimination based on race, gender, religion, disability, age, or other protected characteristics is illegal under both federal and New Jersey law. Knowing the signs of discrimination and what actions you can take is the first step in addressing the issue.

What Is Workplace Discrimination?

Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or job applicant unfairly due to their membership in a protected class. Under laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), protected classes include race, gender, religion, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, and more.

Discrimination can take many forms, including unfair hiring practices, unequal pay, denial of promotions, or creating a hostile work environment. If you feel you have been treated unfairly due to your membership in a protected class, you may have a valid claim for workplace discrimination.

What Are the Common Types of Workplace Discrimination?

There are several types of workplace discrimination that employees in Pennsauken may face:

Race and National Origin Discrimination: Race and national origin discrimination involves treating employees or job applicants differently based on race, ethnicity, or country of origin. This type of discrimination can occur in many aspects of employment, including hiring, promotions, pay, or job assignments. It can also manifest through offensive comments or creating a work environment where employees feel unwelcome or unsafe.
Gender and Sexual Orientation Discrimination: Gender discrimination involves unfair treatment based on a person’s sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. This can include denying promotions to women, paying female employees less than their male counterparts, or discriminating against LGBTQ+ individuals. Both federal and state laws protect employees from gender and sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace.
Disability Discrimination: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the NJLAD, employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities as long as it does not cause undue hardship. Disability discrimination can occur when an employer refuses to provide these accommodations, denies employment opportunities, or treats an employee unfairly because of their disability.
Age Discrimination: Age discrimination occurs when employees over 40 are treated unfairly due to their age. Common examples include being passed over for promotions, forced into early retirement, or subjected to negative stereotypes about older workers. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) provides protections for older employees, ensuring that age is not used as a factor in employment decisions.
Religious Discrimination: Religious discrimination involves treating employees unfairly because of their religious beliefs or practices. This can include refusing to accommodate an employee’s need for religious observances or subjecting them to harassment based on their religion. Employers are required to make reasonable accommodations for employees’ religious practices unless it would cause undue hardship to the business.

Recognizing Workplace Discrimination

Discrimination in the workplace is not always easy to identify. It can be subtle and take the form of patterns or behaviors that, over time, create an unfair or hostile work environment. Some signs of workplace discrimination include:

Being passed over for promotions or raises despite being qualified.
Receiving unequal pay compared to coworkers doing the same job.
Being assigned less desirable tasks or shifts.
Harassment, derogatory comments, or offensive jokes.
Sudden changes in performance evaluations after disclosing a protected characteristic, such as pregnancy or disability.
Retaliation after filing a complaint or reporting discrimination.

If you have experienced any of these situations, it may be time to take action.

What Should I Do if I Am Facing Workplace Discrimination?

If you believe you are a victim of workplace discrimination, taking steps to protect your rights is important. Here is what you can do:

Document Everything: Keep detailed records of any incidents of discrimination, including dates, times, and descriptions of what happened. Save any emails, text messages, or written communications that could support your claim. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be.
Report Discrimination to Your Employer: Many employers have procedures in place for reporting workplace discrimination. Report the issue to your supervisor, HR department, or another appropriate person within the company. Make sure to follow the company’s reporting process and keep a record of your complaint.
File a Complaint with the EEOC or NJ Division on Civil Rights: If your employer does not resolve the issue, you can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights. These agencies will investigate your claim and determine if there is sufficient evidence to take legal action.
Contact an Employment Attorney: Navigating workplace discrimination claims can be challenging, especially when dealing with large companies. An experienced employment attorney can help you understand your rights, gather evidence, and pursue legal action if necessary. The Gold Law Firm P.C. is here to guide you through the process and advocate for your rights every step of the way.

Legal Protections Against Workplace Discrimination

In New Jersey, workers are protected by both state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination in the workplace.

The NJLAD is one of the strongest anti-discrimination laws in the country. It prohibits discrimination based on a wide range of protected characteristics, including race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, and more. The NJLAD also offers protections for workers who are retaliated against for reporting discrimination or harassment.

Federal laws, such as the Civil Rights Act, the ADA, and the ADEA, provide additional protections. These laws are enforced by the EEOC, which investigates claims of workplace discrimination and may take legal action on behalf of workers.

How The Gold Law Firm P.C. Will Help

If you are facing workplace discrimination in Pennsauken, you do not have to go through it alone. The Gold Law Firm P.C. is committed to helping employees fight back against unfair treatment and hold employers accountable. Our experienced employment attorneys will work with you to understand your situation, gather the necessary evidence, and develop a legal strategy to protect your rights.

We understand how difficult and stressful it can be to experience discrimination at work. That is why we offer compassionate, knowledgeable representation for employees ready to take a stand. Whether you need help negotiating with your employer or filing a lawsuit, we will be with you every step of the way.

The Pennsauken Workplace Discrimination Lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. Help You Protect Your Rights

Do not wait to talk to someone if you have or are facing workplace discrimination. Speak with the Pennsauken workplace discrimination lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. today. Contact us at 215-569-1999 or online to schedule your free consultation with our experienced legal team. Located in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey, we serve clients in South Jersey, including Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Marlton, Moorestown, and Mount Laurel.