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Trouble At Work? 2 Signs You Are Being Discriminated Against

When you are at work, you already have a lot on your plate. In addition to worrying about completing your daily workload, you might also be stressed about getting along with co-workers or landing that new client account. Unfortunately, many U.S. workers also have to worry about discrimination in the workplace—an invisible, yet ever-present glass ceiling that can affect every aspect of your job. Here are two signs you are being discriminated against in the workplace and what you can do to make things right. 

1. Rules That Only Seem to Target You

Every workplace has rules, but do you ever feel like certain rules are only in effect to target you? Extreme examples might include rules that are made to be so specific that they only target one or two employees or rules that completely eliminate an entire section of the workforce based on skin color, age, or gender. For example, if your employer sets a new height requirement for certain portions of the factory, and you are the only employee that falls under the necessary height limit, that would be an example of discrimination.

Other examples of discrimination might be limiting allowable work opportunities to only certain members of an organization based on race. For example, if you are an immigrant, and your employer sets a rule that only "US born employees" can advance into management, you could have a discrimination case.

As you go about your normal day, think carefully about the types of rules that your employer has for things like work responsibilities, advancement opportunities, office amenities, and full-time benefits like insurance coverage and sick pay. If there are rules in place that discriminate against a certain group of people, meet with a discrimination lawyer to see if your rights are being violated.

2. New Problems After A Confrontational Event

Disagreements are common in any workplace, but sometimes discriminatory employers decide to act out against an employee because of previous problems that have already been resolved. For example, if you report your manager to corporate headquarters for doing something that they shouldn't be, and your manager retaliates by assigning you the night shift for weeks on end, this could be an example of retaliation discrimination.

Retaliation discrimination claims are also common after employees report things like safety concerns or payment problems to state or government oversight committees. For example, if an employee reports a safety issue to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and OSHA responds by fining the business, some employers misplace their anger and decide to punish the employee instead of owning up to their actions and making things right. In extreme cases, some employers have even fired employees, sparking wrongful termination lawsuits in addition to discrimination lawsuits.

Employees should never be afraid to stand up for what they know is right, which is why there are laws set in place for discrimination and retaliation of an employer. To protect yourself against retaliation, always keep careful logs of your work hours, your communication with your employers, and any reported event that could cause problems for you in the workplace. By documenting your treatment before and after the event, you can build a discrimination case and help your attorney to make things right. 

Discrimination is never okay, but with the help of the right legal team, you might be able to improve your workplace. Discrimination lawsuits have far-reaching effects, setting a standard for ethical and fair treatment across different industries. By standing up for yourself and telling a discriminatory employer that their actions aren't acceptable, you can pave the way for other people to enjoy a more stable, positive workplace. For more information, contact a lawyer from a firm like Law Office of Faye Riva Cohen, P.C.


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