Lawyers Helping Protect Women from Gender Discrimination in the Workplace for Over 25 Years.
Discrimination against women in the workplace is as common today as it was 50 years ago. Working women experience lower pay than men regularly. Women continually get denied promotions and employment opportunities because they are women. Women experience a higher rate of sexual harassment than men.
In the 21st century, it is expected that women should be treated as equals to their male counterparts. However, that concept is still not a reality. The Old Boys Club is still alive and well, boosting gender inequality in the workplace. It may not be as out in the open. However, it often shows up when women demand equal treatment.
When the Old Boys Club rears its ugly head in your direction, you have a right to fight back. Women deserve equality in the workplace. They deserve to work without the fear of retaliation and sexual harassment. They deserve a discrimination lawyer that believes in equality in the workplace and will fight for their rights.
What Is Discrimination Against Women in the Workplace?
Discrimination against women in the workplace occurs when an employer, CEO, supervisor, manager, coworker, client, customer, or non-employee treats a female employee or job applicant unfairly or harasses her because she is a woman. This type of gender discrimination can come in several forms.
Discrimination against women can occur in the following ways:
- Hiring
- Firing
- Promotions
- Raises
- Demotions
- Transfers
- Lack of appropriate accommodations
What Laws Relate to Discrimination Against Women in the Workplace?
Federal and state laws prohibit discrimination against women in the workplace.
. Some of these laws include:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law prohibits employers from making unfair employment decisions based on sex or gender. While you can apply this to men as well as women, it is often used to fight sexism and discrimination against women in the workplace.
- The Equal Pay Act. This law prohibits employers from paying women less than their male counterparts simply because they are women.
- The Pregnancy Discrimination Act. This law protects pregnant women from discrimination in the workplace. The law falls under Title VII and gender discrimination. Women cannot be denied employment or a job, fired from work, demoted, refused promotions, denied raises, or transferred due to pregnancy. In addition, employers must provide adequate and appropriate accommodations for pregnant women.
- The Break Time for Nursing Mothers Law. This law falls under the guidelines of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Under this law, employers must provide nursing mothers accommodations in the workplace. They must provide a location to express milk up to one year after a new baby’s birth. The pumping spot in the office cannot be a bathroom. It must be closed off from public view. They must also provide adequate time for employees to pump milk.
All these laws prohibit retaliation against women at work. If a woman stands up to her boss for violating the law, she cannot be fired from work, demoted, forced to work unfavorable shifts, denied assignments, given a negative employee review, or face other forms of retaliation at work.
What Are Examples of Discrimination Against Women in the Workplace?
Discrimination against women in the workplace can take on many forms. It can be sexual harassment, refusal to allow a woman to express her breastmilk at work, unequal pay, or any other form of mistreatment simply because she is a woman. Here are some examples of this type of discrimination in the workplace:
- An employer refuses to hire a visibly pregnant job applicant.
- You get fired from work because you are pregnant.
- An employer pays a female employee less than her equally qualified male counterpart.
- Your boss refuses to promote women to higher positions in the workplace.
- Your employer transfers a pregnant employee to a less visible position.
- Your supervisor insists you, a female subordinate, perform sexual acts with him to keep her job (Quid pro quo).
- Your coworker sends sexist emails to others in the office, creating a hostile work environment.
- Your manager demotes a woman to make room for a new male employee in that department.
- Your boss refuses to give women certain accounts because the client will not work with a woman.
- Your employer instituted a glass ceiling policy where women cannot earn more than men in the office.
What Rights Do Women Have as Victims of Discrimination in the Workplace?
If you are the victim of discrimination in the workplace, you have the right to file a claim or lawsuit against your employer. Depending on the type of discrimination you experienced, you may be entitled to file a complaint directly with the federal court.
If your claim is for gender discrimination or pregnancy discrimination, you will need to file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission within 180 to 300 days of the incident of discrimination (depending on your state and equivalent state laws). Once you receive a Right to Sue Letter from the EEOC stating you have a charge of gender discrimination, you may file a federal court lawsuit.
If your claim is under the Equal Pay Act or the Fair Labor Standards Act, you may file your complaint directly with the federal court. The Equal Pay Act provides a time limit of two years from the date of your last discriminatory paycheck.
The Break Time for Nursing Mothers Law does not set a time limit to file a complaint for violating the law. However, it is always a good idea to file your claim as soon as possible.
Discuss your claim with an experienced gender discrimination attorney to determine when and where you should file your charge for discrimination against women at work.
What Will the Court Award You as a Victim of Discrimination Against Women in the Workplace?
If you win your case against your employer for discrimination, the courts will likely award some type of compensation for your claim. Relief may be in the form of money, such as lost wages, money for emotional support or pain and suffering, or reimbursement of medical and other related expenses. However, sometimes, the court may also insist your boss reinstate your employment and change company policies to avoid such actions in the future.
When Can You Expect to Receive Your Settlement for Discrimination Against Women at Work?
Any lawsuit can settle in a few months. If your employer is willing to negotiate a settlement before the claim gets filed with the EEOC or proper court, your case may settle quickly. It may also settle quickly if your employer willingly negotiates a fair settlement as soon as the case gets filed. In these cases, you can receive a settlement in as little as four to six months.
However, your case may settle much later in the process. Your case may settle any time before a court enters the final judgment. Therefore, you may not receive a settlement for several years. Working with an experienced discrimination lawyer can help you negotiate your claim to reach a settlement sooner rather than later.
How Will a Discrimination Lawyer Help Your Claim for Discrimination Against Women at Work?
As a woman experiencing discrimination at work, you likely feel embarrassed while determined to get justice. You deserve to fight back against discrimination. A qualified discrimination lawyer will help you find your voice in your fight for justice.
A discrimination lawyer can negotiate your claim with your employer quickly towards a fair and equitable settlement. Your attorney can help you file your claim in the proper time frame and with the proper courts to ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to receive.
Contact Our Experienced Gender Discrimination Lawyers Today!
Women have a right to be treated equally to the men with whom they work. Gender inequality in the workplace is unacceptable. If you are the victim of workplace discrimination because you are a woman, the Derek Smith Law Group’s experienced attorneys can help.
Were You a Victim of Discrimination Against Women at Work? Do You Want to Know How to Receive Justice for Your Humiliation? Please Contact the Discrimination Lawyers at the Derek Smith Law Group at 807.807.2209 or derek@dereksmithlaw.com for Answers.
