ESSEX COUNTY EMPLOYMENT LAWYER

TYPES OF EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION

Employment discrimination can be separated into several different categories. These categories include race, color, age, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, disability, and many other types of discrimination that an employer may use to undermine your employment rights.

New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (LAD) provides protections for employees who are subjected to intentional workplace discrimination because of one or more of the traits listed above. The LAD also offers protections for prospective employees who are engaged in the hiring process. In addition to the LAD, numerous federal laws prohibit various types of discrimination in the workplace.

Discrimination can take many forms. It does not always look the same. Some workers face hostile work environment conditions where daily harassment makes it impossible to do their job. Others are passed over for promotions or fired for reasons tied to their national origin, sexual orientation, domestic partnership status, or military service. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and New Jersey law, these actions are prohibited.

Race Discrimination

As mentioned above, racial discrimination is one type of employment discrimination issue. An employer who uses an individual’s race to make hiring decisions or to determine job responsibilities has taken part in employment discrimination. Additionally, if an employer allows coworkers to make derogatory comments or actions toward the victim, they can potentially be held liable for employment discrimination.

Age Discrimination

Age discrimination is another type of employment discrimination. When discussing age discrimination, it is important to remember that age discrimination can happen to a worker who is older or younger than his or her coworkers.

This type of discrimination typically occurs when an employer commits actions that alienate an employee because of their age. For example, age discrimination often occurs when an employer institutes a policy designed to force an employee into retirement. There are some instances where an employer can legally deny hiring an individual because of their age, such as being too young to perform the job under labor regulations.

Other Examples of Workplace Discrimination

An employer that sets arbitrary employment requirements may be discriminating against qualified employees. For example, stating that an employee should be over a certain height may be employment discrimination if a shorter individual is capable of performing the job. However, certain circumstances may allow an employer to set specific employment qualifications.

The following list describes some examples of actions that can potentially trigger an employment discrimination claim:

• Demoting an employee because of their age
• Giving an employee an undesirable job assignment because of their race
• Terminating an employee’s position because they are pregnant
• Making derogatory comments regarding an employee’s sexual orientation
• Failing to provide reasonable accommodations for a disabled individual to apply for a position or complete job duties

Sexual harassment is also a form of workplace discrimination. It includes unwanted advances, offensive remarks, and conduct that creates a hostile work environment. Pregnancy discrimination is another area where employees often need help. Employers are not allowed to treat workers worse because they are pregnant or plan to take medical leave. These are all areas where our Essex County employment law firms have helped clients get results.