Poor Treatment at the Office? Talk to a Washington Discrimination Lawyer

Perhaps you’ve put years into your current job and found yourself consistently passed over for promotion without reason. Or, when dealing with a coworker or fellow employee dispute, management ends up solely disciplining you. These are just a few examples of what workplace discrimination can look like.

If this has happened to you, don’t leave the issue unaddressed. Work with a legal team that specializes in employment law, like us at Punchwork Law.

Our Washington Discrimination law firm has helped numerous clients defend their employment rights and force companies to respect the individualities of their employees, both financially and emotionally.

Still unsure if you have a case? Read on to learn more about discrimination in the workplace and how it violates state and federal law.

What is “Discrimination” According to Employment Law?

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the US government’s agency that enforces laws against workplace discrimination, discrimination is treating a person differently or less favorably than their coworkers within the workplace. This includes:

• Unfair treatment or harassment because of your identity
• Denial of reasonable accommodations
• Improper questions about or disclosure of your genetic information or medical information
• Retaliation against you due to making a complaint or assisting with a job discrimination claim

Any of these acts is also considered discrimination if your employers or coworkers commit them because of your protected characteristics, including:

• Your race or skin color
• Your religion
• Your national origin
• Your sex (including sexual orientation, transgender status, or pregnancy)
• Your disability
• Your age (particularly 40 years or older)
• Your genetic information

Common Examples of Discriminatory Practices

If you or anyone you know has experienced these situations at your place of employment, you may have a strong discrimination case. Here are some brief examples of discriminatory acts and workplace practices to help clarify what discrimination can look like:

Limitations on Listings & Job Applicants

• Certain employers list on job sites that they are only hiring specific races or ages.
• Companies that avoid hiring people based on their national origin or sexual orientation, despite their credentials and or employment history.

Hostile Work Environment

• Managers or coworkers making offensive jokes or remarks about you based on your skin color or sexuality.
• Employers conduct sexual harassment, such as making unwanted advances or asking for sexual favors in exchange for employment.

Promotion & Wage Differences

• Employers deny or pass over an employee as a candidate for promotion due to their national origin.
• Management or HR gives different wages to employees based on their age or gender identity.

Denial of Access & Mistreatment

• Companies do not provide disabled employees with wheelchair ramps or other facilities to ensure their safety or convenience.
• Employees are excluded from important trainings, meetings, or events due to their religion, national origin, or other protected characteristics.

Laws That Protect You from Discrimination

In addition to the examples above, you should also be aware of the different laws that discrimination can violate. Some of the major federal employment laws that protect against workplace discrimination include:

• Protects from Age Discrimination: Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
• Protects from Disability Discrimination: Americans with Disabilities Act
• Protects from Gender Discrimination: Equal Pay Act
• Protects from Many Types of Discrimination: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Additionally, in the state of Washington, discrimination laws and protections go even further. If you are dealing with issues filing or creating your case, protect your rights by contacting the EEOC or Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC).

At Punchwork Law, our Washington discrimination law experts work tirelessly to ensure that employees no longer suffer from racial discrimination or any other kind.

What Our Washington Discrimination Law Firm Does

At Punchwork Law, our legal team takes on many employment law cases at once. Here’s how we do it:

We Listen

We treat you as an individual, not as one among a pile of other employment discrimination cases. When you make your first appointment with us, you’ll meet with a Washington discrimination attorney who will hear out every detail of your case. Tell us what happened, how it affected you and those you care for, and what you want us to do about it.

Of course, that won’t be all we do.

We Plan

Once we know about your case, our next step is to make a game plan for it. We plan for success in every case we take on. We discuss every aspect, making sure we align with your desired goals and outcome as a firm.

We Fight

Finally, we put our plan into action. First, we consistently contact the EEOC, ensuring they investigate your employment discrimination claim. Our persistence works, as we’ll be able to get your case looked at sooner.

Then, once the EEOC sends you a “Right to Sue” letter, we immediately go to work against employers. Many times, they may want to settle out of court. That’s fine, but we make sure they feel it. Our team won’t stop until you get the outcome you deserve.