Every day when you go to work, you should have the reasonable expectation that you are safe from harassment by your colleagues and employer. However, that is not always the case when discriminatory behavior seeps into the workplace and is directed at you.
To prevent further harmful behaviors by your employer, an Orangeburg personal injury lawyer can be your advocate and a step toward justice.
At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, an empathetic South Carolina employer lawyer will guide you through the legal process to file a discrimination complaint against your employer.
Our team has more than a decade of experience getting our clients results, and your case is in experienced hands when you entrust us with your situation.
We understand the depth of the abuse you are suffering in your workplace and want you to rest assured that you have an ally with our team.
Types of Employer Discrimination
Discrimination and harassment in the workplace creates a hostile workplace that can leave employees feeling embarrassed, ashamed, unsafe, or degraded. Many of the most common types of discrimination an employee can be subject to are based on characteristics that are legally protected in the workplace. An employee can be discriminated against based on:
- Color
- Race
- National Origin
- Sex
- Religion
- Disability
- Age
- Retaliation
- Genetic information
Discrimination based on these characteristics is illegal, and employers can be held liable for their role in allowing such behavior to exist in the workplace and the creation of a hostile environment. You have the right to file a complaint and make a report of such actions. It is important to note that sometimes employers may try to retaliate, so seeking out legal counsel first can help protect you when you are ready to move forward.
Signs of Employer Discrimination
Employer discrimination can come in many different forms. From pervasive comments to overt actions, discriminatory and harassing behavior can leave you questioning your employer’s intentions, the workplace environment, your safety, and sometimes yourself. While the list can be quite extensive, some examples of workplace discrimination by an employer can look like:
- Inappropriate jokes or comments.
- Lewd behaviors or sexual harassment.
- Retaliation.
- Exclusion.
- Denying promotions or opportunities based on non-performance factors.
- Gaslighting is based on a protected characteristic.
- Inequity.
When you notice behaviors like these, a lawyer can help you draft a complaint to put the company on notice for their behavior. Not only does this communicate your commitment to justice, but it and any other complaints you file all serve to provide concrete evidence to support your claim. Employer discrimination cases are serious, and thorough evidence is needed to obtain a favorable outcome.
Reporting Employer Discrimination
Reporting employer discrimination is important to stopping unwanted behavior against you in the workplace. By reporting the behavior, you hold employers liable and reduce the risk of the behavior occurring again in the future. There are several options available for filing a report of discriminatory conduct, including:
- Workplace supervisor.
- HR complaint.
- Local law enforcement.
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
An employer discrimination lawyer in Orangeburg can help you determine who the best entity is for filing a complaint with or help you take your complaint to the next level if it is not being taken seriously.
Their sound legal counsel can help you understand your options while protecting your rights. Employer discrimination lawsuits can be a complex process, and experienced guidance can help you get a favorable outcome.
Guidance on Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Updated
The EEOC has provided updated enforcement guidance on harassment in the workplace to better protect employees from harm in their work environment.
With consolidated and updated guidance, employers or their proxies may be held liable for harassment based on characteristics that are protected, or for changing the conditions, privileges, or terms of an employee’s job.
Benefits of Legal Representation in Employer Discrimination Cases
If you have been the target of unwanted attention by your employer, hiring an employer discrimination lawyer in Orangeburg is in your best interest.
An Orangeburg employer discrimination attorney can help put a stop to the conduct by your employer and negotiate compensation for your losses. With their help, you could recover damages for the emotional distress your employer caused you, as well as any financial losses you suffered as part of the discrimination.
A lawyer will begin by helping you find a peaceful resolution to your situation through mediation, and can explain in your consultation what is mediation and how it works.
Mediation can be a powerful tool to broker a fair settlement between you and your employer in a timely and cost-effective manner. However, when an agreement cannot be reached through mediation, it moves on to litigation.
In the event that an employer discrimination case goes to court, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission outlines that a claim for harassment and discrimination must meet certain requirements.
The claim must outline how an individual was targeted based on their protected characteristics and that it was unwanted. It must also provide details of the conduct, its negative effects, and evidence of the employer’s role.
With the help of a Orangeburg employer discrimination lawyer, they can help you navigate all the requirements and build you a strong case.
Retaining the Services of a Lawyer in Orangeburg, South Carolina
At Shelly Leeke, we want to ensure clients can have access to legal representation when they need it the most. It is for this reason that we operate on a contingency fee basis and make our legal services more accessible. With this structure, you do not have to pay any attorney fees unless we win your case.
An Employer Discrimination Lawyer Can Get You Justice
If you have been discriminated against in the workplace, you may have the grounds to file a lawsuit against your employer. An employer discrimination attorney in Orangeburg can guide you through the process, protect your rights, and get justice from your employer.
Reach out to our experienced team at Shelly Leeke Law Firm today for a free consultation and to learn more about our case results and your options.
