Discrimination & Retaliation

Discrimination and retaliation is common in the workplace. However, only certain forms of discrimination or retaliation are protected by the law.

Discrimination is treating a person differently than others based on any of the characteristics listed below. For example, promoting someone at work because they are a man rather than other performance-based reasons. This may be sex discrimination because it unfairly hurts women. Another common example is when older persons are fired because a company prefers to hire younger workers. This may be age discrimination or even disability discrimination, depending on the person.

Retaliation is similar. Oftentimes, workers will be punished for reporting discrimination or sexual harassment. Discrimination is being treated differently, whereas retaliation is punishment for reporting, complaining about, or working to stop the discrimination from happening.

Protections Against Discrimination

Unfortunately, many forms of “harassment” or “retaliation” may not be protected by law. It’s important to speak with one of our attorneys to know your rights.

Federal and state laws protect workers from discrimination based upon:

• Pregnancy
• Race
• Religious Belief
• National Origin

• Disability
• Age
• Sexual Harassment
• Medical Condition

• Sex / Gender
• Gender Identity
• Marital Status
• Veteran / Military Status

• Pregnancy
• Race
• Religious Belief
• National Origin
• Disability
• Age

• Sexual Harassment
• Medical Condition
• Sex / Gender
• Gender Identity
• Marital Status
• Veteran / Military Status