Discrimination
Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee differently because of who they are. In practice, that treatment can take many forms—being passed over for promotion, subjected to different standards, assigned less desirable work, or paid less for the same role.
Discrimination may be directed at an individual or reflected in broader patterns within an organization. Sometimes it is explicit. More often, it shows up through decisions that, taken together, reflect something more than ordinary workplace conflict.
Request an Employment Case AssessmentWhat the Law Recognizes
Not every unfair or difficult workplace situation is unlawful. The law does not prohibit all poor management decisions or unreasonable behavior.
To rise to the level of discrimination, the treatment must be connected to a legally protected characteristic. These can include:
- Age
- Sex or gender
- Sexual orientation
- Race, color, or national origin
- Marital status
- Disability
- Military or veteran status
- Use of a service animal or similar accommodationh stage affect the outcome
Other protected categories may apply depending on the circumstances.
How Discrimination Claims Arise
Discrimination claims often involve:
- hiring and promotion decisions
- compensation and job assignments
- discipline or termination
- policies that disproportionately affect certain groups
In many cases, the issue is not a single event, but a pattern of decisions that reflects unequal treatment.
Evaluating a Discrimination Claim
Determining whether discrimination has occurred requires more than identifying unfair treatment. It involves examining:
- the employer’s stated reasons for its decisions
- how similarly situated employees were treated
- the available documentary and witness evidence
- and how the case is likely to be viewed in litigation
These cases are often fact-intensive and require careful development over time.
Moving Forward
If you believe you have been treated differently because of a protected characteristic, it may be worth evaluating your situation more closely.
We assess discrimination claims by looking not only at the legal elements, but at how the case can be developed, positioned, and resolved in practice.
Request an Employment Case Assessment
Submitting a form allows our team to evaluate your situation and determine whether we can assist.
Request an Employment Case Assessment
