EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION
Being discriminated against can be frustrating and hurtful and, in some cases, it’s also illegal. Federal and state laws prohibit discrimination in the workplace and also establish a process for employees who have been discriminated against to file a complaint and seek damages. If you have been adversely impacted by employment discrimination, our Cleveland employment discrimination attorneys at the office of Coffman Legal, LLC can help. Please call us directly today or send us a message at your convenience for your free consultation.
Discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee unfairly based on one of an employee’s attributes or characteristics, such as race or ethnicity. Treating an employee unfairly may take shape in the form of refusing to hire an employee, firing an employee, denying an employee a promotion or equal pay, or otherwise punishing an employee. In addition to unfavorable treatment, discrimination also occurs when an employee is harassed based on a protected characteristic in the workplace. If harassment is so pervasive or severe as to create a hostile work environment, then the harassment is illegal. There are two other types of discrimination: failure to provide reasonable accommodation for a person with a disability, and discriminating against someone for exercising a protected right.
An employer cannot make any decisions or otherwise take action against someone based on a protected characteristic. Protected characteristics include race, gender, sexual identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, color, or genetic information.
When discrimination in the workplace occurs, an impacted employee has the right to file an employment discrimination claim. An employment discrimination claim is a complaint that is filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. After a claim is filed, the responding department has a duty to investigate the complaint. If there is evidence of discrimination, the employee may be eligible to receive damages. For example, an employee who was terminated because of discrimination may deserve reinstatement to their original position, back pay for lost wages, and compensation for the emotional distress they suffered. While there is no legal requirement to work with an attorney when filing an employment discrimination claim, doing so is highly recommended. An attorney can help you to understand your rights, how to file a claim, what to do if you disagree with the agency’s findings, and more.
If you have been impacted by discrimination in the workplace, you don’t have to put up with it. When you call the Cleveland employment discrimination lawyers at the office of Coffman Legal, LLC, you can count on our lawyers to advocate for you. We know what you’re going through and what you’re up against, and bring years of experience to your case. We always offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. To learn more, please call us directly or send us a message online to get started.