Although there are both state and federal laws prohibiting workplace discrimination, unfortunately, this still happens in large swaths all throughout organizations in the US. If you or a loved one has experienced unfair or unequal treatment based on certain characteristics from your employer, then it is time to explore your legal rights and file a claim.
At Shelly Leeke, we have a full team of employer discrimination lawyers who are ready to stand up and fight for your civil rights as a hard-working American. Wait no longer and contact us today and hire a Greenville employer discrimination attorney to help protect your constitutional rights.
Knowing the Civil Rights Act
If you feel that you have been treated unfairly in your place of work, then it is imperative to know and understand Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. This states that employers are not allowed to discriminate against their employees based on race, color, nationality, sex, and religion. You can also be discriminated against other characteristics not mentioned in the Civil Rights Act, like age, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, and military status.
Under state and federal laws, these characteristics qualify as “protected classes,” which further safeguards people from discrimination in the workplace. Discrimination against someone based on these characteristics can take on many different forms, including;
- Harassment (jokes and insults)
- Being offered a lower wage
- Being denied benefits
- Being denied a pay raise
- Being denied a promotion
- Being fired or laid off
- Being assaulted or threatened with violence
If you or someone you know has had any one of these scenarios happen to them in their place of employment due to specific characteristics in their protected class, then it is time to call an employment discrimination attorney in Greenville to ensure that there is justice for having their constitutional rights as an employee infringed upon by their employer.
Examples of Workplace Discrimination
In this day in age, it can be quite difficult to fully understand what exactly constitutes discrimination and what just toes the line of it. Below is a list of examples that would be categorized as workplace discrimination:
- A pregnant woman being fired/laid off solely because of her pregnancy
- A boss requesting and/or forcing sexual favors in exchange for a promotion or raise
- A female employee receiving lower pay than her male counterparts in the same position with similar experience
- A member of the LGBTQ+ community being denied a job because of their sexual orientation
- An employer using racial slurs and insults directed at their subordinate who is a person of color
- A Muslim American getting passed for a promotion because they take too many days off for religious holidays, instead of it being determined by their work performance
These are just a few examples of the kind of employer discrimination that can occur in the workplace to help you better understand and identify it when it happens. If any of these examples has ever happened to you, then it is essential that you contact us today and speak with one of our experienced Greenville employer discrimination lawyers to receive compensation for being treated so unfairly by your workplace.
Understanding South Carolina Law
According to the latest year of reporting, the state of South Carolina ranks 24th in the US when it comes to most employment discrimination cases filed and fought, with 24 complaints per 100,000 people. South Carolina has a big issue with employer discrimination which is why the state created the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission (SCHAC), a state administrative agency that deals with employment-related issues such as workplace discrimination.
Before you reach out to our legal team and before you file your workplace discrimination claim, it is important to note that under South Carolina state law, there is a statute of limitations as to when you can report the discrimination and fight for your rights and your compensation in the courtroom. Per SCHAC guidelines, you have a total of 180 days from when you experienced discrimination in your place of work to file an official complaint with the agency. And you have a total of 300 days from when you last experienced workplace discrimination to file a claim with a law firm and fight the employer discrimination in court.
If you meet these deadlines and If you have experienced unfair and/or cruel treatment from your employer and are wondering what to do next, then look no further. A Greenville employer discrimination attorney from the Shelly Leeke law firm will work around the clock to help review your case and file a workplace discrimination claim to the SCHAC and start you on the path of seeking justice and compensation for all of your employer’s wrongdoing.
Why Hire an Employer Discrimination Lawyer in Greenville
In order to have your employer held responsible for their illegal actions, to ensure your equal rights are no longer violated, and to obtain financial compensation for damages, then it is of the utmost importance that you hire an employment discrimination lawyer. Recoverable damages in these lawsuits can vary based on the type of discrimination you encountered, but for the most part, your compensation will be determined upon the:
- Money you missed out on from being denied a raise or promotion
- Wages and benefits you missed from being unjustly fired or laid off
- Income from missing work for harassment-related concerns
- Money from physical and/or emotional harm you suffered
All of these things will help us figure out what kind of financial compensation is fair for you to receive. Nonetheless, our team intends to work with you every step of the way and answer any questions you may have so that you can finally be at peace and have your life return back to normal.
Reach Out to Shelly Leeke Today
There is no worse feeling than having to go to work every day and dealing with unjust discrimination from your employer because you look a certain way, or because you were born in a different country, or because you practice a different religion, etc. It is unfair, it is illegal, and it should be held accountable for in a court of law. You and your fellow employees deserve to be treated as equals and to be treated with kindness and respect.
If you or someone you know is experiencing discrimination in the workplace, then it is time to call Shelly Leeke and get in touch with a Greenville employer discrimination attorney today for a free evaluation of your case.
