The discrimination lawyers in Albany, New York at the Towne Law Firm, P.C. may be able to assist you if you have been a victim of discrimination in New York. Discrimination can affect every aspect of your work life, from your ability to do your job, to your ability to get promoted, and in some cases, it can affect pay, hiring and firing decisions, and more. If you believe you have suffered losses (of your job, of promotion, or were passed up for a job) because of discrimination. The Towne Law Firm, P.C. is a discrimination law firm in Albany, New York that may be able to assist you. Our discrimination lawyer may be able to sue your former or current employer for lost wages and damages.
What is Discrimination?
Workplace discrimination is any situation where an employee is treated unfairly because of age, disability, genetic information, national origin, LGBTQ status, race, sex, or religion. Discrimination law includes protections against retaliation if you speak up against discrimination or report discrimination. Discrimination can occur in the hiring process, during firing or layoffs, but it can also occur on the job, especially if a worker is passed up for promotions, or opportunities at work. It can also occur on the job if some workers are paid more for doing the same job with the same degree of experience.
Some common examples of discrimination include paying two employees with equal qualifications and experience different salaries because of their gender or race. Another example of discrimination can be discrimination against pregnant workers. Pregnant workers must be treated like any other employee that is temporarily disabled. So if your job lets a man who broke his leg sit at a cash register, and you need to sit because you are pregnant, you cannot be fired. Another situation where discrimination may occur is when you are passed up for promotions, or fired because your employer finds out information about your race, genetic status, LGBTQ status, or religion.
Finally, a situation where workers can face discrimination is if they are disabled. An employer cannot refuse to hire a disabled worker or refuse to hire a worker because they care for a family member who is disabled. Employers are also required to provide accommodations for disabled workers which may include making physical accommodations, or adjusting the workday to meet these workers’ needs.
If you believe you may have been a victim of workplace discrimination, what can you do? You can report the discrimination to your employer. Workers are protected from retaliation when they report discrimination. However, if you have questions about your rights, questions about whether something that’s taking place at your workplace would be considered discrimination, or if you would like to have representation before you begin the formal complaint process, consider reaching out to the Towne Law Firm, P.C. Our workplace discrimination lawyers in Albany NY may be able to assist you.
What Can You do If You Suspect Discrimination on the Job?
If you suspect that you have been discriminated on the job, or were discriminated during the hiring process, it is important to understand that proving discrimination can sometimes be very difficult. Employers often get away with discrimination by claiming that one worker has more experience than another, or offers some unique skills that the other worker doesn’t have. When making a discrimination claim, you’ll need to have evidence that the discrimination is really happening. Some examples might be a workplace that doesn’t hire people of color or disabled people at all. Or a workplace where women are systematically paid less than men, despite doing the same jobs. Or a workplace where men get promoted and women do not. If you suspect discrimination on the job, the Towne Law Firm, P.C. is an Albany New York discrimination law firm that can review your case, review the evidence you may have, and assist you with your claim.
There are several things you may be able to use to prove discrimination. First, read your employment handbook or company policy guidelines. If your company has violated its own policies, this may be a place to start. Other evidence that could be important are pay stubs, pay records, journal entries recording any discrimination you encountered, written communications, or physical evidence of discrimination. If other workers witnessed the discrimination, they may also prove instrumental to your case.
The Towne Law Firm, P.C. is a discrimination law firm in Albany, New York that may be able to assist you if you have lost work, lost out on promotions, or lost income because of workplace discrimination. You are not alone. We are here to help you navigate the legal process, or assist you with making a complaint. If you believe you have been retaliated against, the Towne Law Firm, P.C. may also be able to help you.
