Protecting Your Rights: What a Missouri Discrimination Lawyer Can Do For You

You work hard all day. Despite that, you have your boss and coworkers forcing you to do extra work. Or they say harsh words in hushed voices, or just straight to your face. That kind of behavior could be for any reason – or none at all.

No matter what, it’s wrong. And if you can prove it’s based on discrimination against a part of your identity (sex, race, background), their actions are also illegal.

So when you suspect your hard days at work are less about the work and more about the people you’re working with, talk to a Missouri discrimination lawyer at Punchwork Law. We don’t tolerate any sort of hostility: wrongful termination, verbal harassment, or just plain drama, just because of who you are.

If you have a bona fide case for workplace discrimination, we’ll be there with you every step of the way. Trust our attorneys to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.

What is Employment Discrimination?

Employment discrimination happens when an employer or fellow employees treat you unfairly because of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

Fortunately, under state and federal law, the above are all protected traits. This means that employees who are experiencing discrimination in the workplace have somewhere to turn. To be specific, you’re protected from employment discrimination in Missouri through laws and with the support of institutions like:

• The Missouri Human Rights Act – Prohibits discrimination at work, at home, and in places of public accommodation. It also protects individuals from retaliation when filing a complaint.
• The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission>(EEOC) – An independent federal agency formed to promote equal opportunity in employment by helping enforce federal civil rights laws.

You can also call on our Missouri discrimination law experts at Punchwork Law for help. We’ll help you learn if you have a solid case or not. If you know you are experiencing employment discrimination, do not hesitate to file a complaint with the Missouri Department of Labor.

Types of Discrimination Cases

It’s important to know the different kinds of discrimination cases that exist. That way, you can identify what kind of case you have when you schedule an appointment with a qualified Missouri discrimination law firm. Here are some of the major types of discrimination cases:

• Age Discrimination – Cases where a person is discriminated against because of their age. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 protects people 40 years and older from this kind of discrimination.
• Disability Discrimination – These cases look like discrimination based on a job candidate’s real or perceived disability. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 irrefutably protects against this.
• Race Discrimination – The type of case where an employee is treated differently due to unchangeable characteristics like race or their skin color. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects against this type of discrimination.

Other cases where discrimination is related:

• Sexual Harassment – Cases where an employee has experienced unwanted and unwelcome advances of a sexual nature.
• Retaliation – These are cases where an employee faces discriminatory or harmful action because they filed a complaint, participated in an investigation, or opposed an illegal employment practice.

If you believe you have experienced workplace discrimination that fits within one or more of these categories, begin building your case with the help of an experienced Missouri Discrimination Law Firm. Schedule an appointment with Punchwork Law today.

How Missouri Discrimination Attorneys Will Help

When obvious examples of abuse and discrimination come up in your workplace, the first step is to contact an expert in employment law. With Punchwork Law at your side, you’ll have a Missouri discrimination law firm that knows the state and federal employment laws like the back of our hand.

Our experienced attorneys will be supportive and understanding of your situation. From beginning to end, we will guide you through your case and fight to defend your rights in the workplace. Here’s what our Missouri discrimination lawyers will do for you:

They Investigate Your Discrimination Claim

First and foremost, a discrimination lawyer will meet with you and go over the details of your case. If they decide that the situation you’re in fits the stipulations of workplace discrimination, then their next step will be to collect evidence and build your case.

They’ll work with you to gather documents like company emails, performance reviews, witness statements, and company policies. Your lawyer will then compare them to your claims in order to find patterns of discrimination that align with state and federal laws.

They Cover State & Federal Law

When putting together a strong case, law firms must research and verify which laws and regulations apply to your case. We won’t dive into them, but they can get pretty convoluted. For example, Title VII is a key federal law that protects employees from discrimination and is the foundation for numerous federal protections against workplace discrimination.

Every relevant aspect of this law, along with those from the Missouri Human Rights Act, must be found and applied to your case for it to get to court. Fortunately, Punchwork Law’s team of expert litigators are experienced in rolling up our sleeves to ensure your case succeeds.

They Negotiate For You

Before heading to trial, your discrimination attorney may engage with your employer’s party to discuss an alternative dispute resolution, such as a settlement agreement. This often involves filing charges and having both parties undergo mediation through the EEOC or the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. This could resolve your discrimination claim early and get you fair compensation, such as back pay, job reinstatement, policy changes, and coverage for your attorney fees. We’ll make sure that if a settlement is to be reached, it is one that ensures justice is served on your behalf.

They Represent You in Court

If your case does go to court, a discrimination attorney will represent your case in court. They will file a suit in the right state or federal court, then manage every step of the process. They will make the strongest argument for your case and ensure you get the best chance to get the justice you deserve.