A Closer Look at Common Types of Workplace Discrimination in New York

Legal advocacy for workplace equality | employment discrimination attorney | Gash & Associates, P.C.

As an employee, you should be able to perform your assigned duties without fear of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation. Unfortunately, there are times when an employer denies an employee a well-deserved promotion or terminates their employment on the basis of the employee’s age, disability, sex, race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, or other legally protected attributes. Such actions are unlawful, and employees who believe that they’ve been the victims of employment discrimination may take legal action against their employers. Let’s take a look at common types of workplace discrimination, what actions victims may take, and how to proceed if you believe you’ve been a victim of employment discrimination. 

Most Common Forms of Workplace Discrimination

By looking at the number of employment discrimination allegations, it appears that retaliation is the most common form of workplace discrimination. Cases that involve retaliation often occur when a worker has spoken up about their employer’s discriminatory practices, requested disability or religious accommodations, refused sexual advances, or otherwise made requests that prompted the employer to retaliate via demotion, employment termination, or similar punishment. Other common types of workplace discrimination include those involving the employee’s race, sex, disability or medical status, and age. Between 2010 and 2017, over one million employment discrimination cases were filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or partner agencies, indicating the prevalence of these discriminatory practices. 

An Uphill Battle

Once an employee has reason to suspect that they have been the victim of workplace discrimination, they have the right to file a formal complaint and take their battle to court. Many employees seek financial compensation, while some are simply looking for a change in workplace accommodations or policies. Unfortunately, employment discrimination cases can be difficult to prove. It takes hard and diligent work to accumulate compelling evidence that links the alleged discriminatory action to an employee’s rage, gender, disability, or other characteristics. Currently, the types of cases that are the most likely to receive relief are those whose claims allege discrimination based on cancer, pregnancy, religion, cerebral palsy, and cumulative trauma disorder. 

Next Steps

If you believe that you have been the victim of employment discrimination, you should contact a seasoned attorney who can assess the details of your situation and determine the best course of action. It’s important to begin the legal process as soon as possible so that you can give yourselves ample time to build a strong and compelling case that could help you obtain your desired outcome.

 

For more information about pursuing an employment discrimination claim in Westchester County, call Gash & Associates, P.C. at (914) 328-8800 to schedule your free consultation with an experienced attorney today.

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