Pittsburgh, PA, Sexual Orientation Discrimination Lawyers
All across the United States, employees are being hired for new jobs or getting promotions within their current workplace. Men and women of all ages, races, gender identity, perceived sexual orientation, nationality, and other personal identifiers expect that they will receive the same consideration for employment opportunities as anyone else. Unfortunately, some employers have violated the protections granted in the Civil Rights Act and Title VII of that Act by participating in discrimination in the workplace.
One of the most common violations of Title VII is sexual orientation discrimination. The law prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. This means that gay or lesbian employees (or potential employees) are to be given equal opportunities as any other candidate for a job or promotion, regardless of the employee’s sexual orientation. Employers are prohibited from LGBTQ employment discrimination by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Discrimination claims can be filed by those who have experienced sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace under employment law. If you or a loved one has experienced LGBTQ discrimination, you may be eligible to file a claim. Contact an experienced sexual orientation discrimination lawyer for legal assistance and find out if your situation qualifies.
What Is Sexual Orientation Workplace Discrimination?
According to federal law, employers do not have the right to discriminate against any employee based on sexual orientation when hiring, firing, promotions, giving raises, or any other aspect of employment.
If an individual is fully qualified for a particular position or promotion, federal law states that an employer must give every applicant the same opportunity to fight for that position regardless of their sexual orientation. When an employer purposefully does not hire or promote an individual based solely on their sexual orientation rather than their qualifications, that individual may be eligible to file a sexual orientation discrimination claim against the employer.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
Under the Civil Rights Act, of 1964, Title VII’s prohibition of sex discrimination must be upheld in every workplace situation. Title VII does not explicitly cover sexual orientation discrimination, but courts (including the Supreme Court) have since expanded that prohibition to include sexual orientation discrimination as well.
The Equality Act was also introduced into Congress, making the workplace prohibition discrimination explicit enough to cover sexual orientation discrimination. It provides basic protections against workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Employees Have Rights Under Federal Law
As an employee, you have certain rights under federal law, and discriminatory practices by an employer violate those rights. Individuals who have been the victims of sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace must seek out the expertise and legal advice of an experienced employment law firm such as ours at J.P. Ward & Associates in Pittsburgh.
During a sexual orientation discrimination case, your employment attorney will discuss the particulars of the claim with you and work to gather evidence or expert witnesses to testify on your behalf. Legal claims of sexual orientation discrimination must be backed up with plenty of evidence to prove the discrimination.
At J.P. Ward & Associates, our law firm takes every employment discrimination case very seriously and strives to ensure that those who experienced workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation discrimination or sexual harassment can hold their employers accountable. Depending on the particulars of the case, we also work to get you compensation in the form of:
- Lost wages
- Compensatory damages for emotional suffering
- Punitive damages
- Reinstatement of the job
- Promotions
If you or a loved one experienced workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation, contact J.P. Ward & Associates. We strive to ensure that LGBTQ employees (a protected class) are treated equally, and those who have endured sexual orientation discrimination can seek justice. Our team supports the LGBTQ community, and we work hard to maintain your employee rights.
Contact a Sexual Orientation Discrimination Attorney
If you are an employee of a business in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and you have experienced workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation, or your place of employment has become a hostile work environment due to sex stereotyping, contact J.P. Ward & Associates. We offer a free initial consultation and reasonable attorneys fees because we understand the challenges you face as an employee.
Our team is here to help you fight for justice against your former or current employer, and with each case, we are working to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. Call today to schedule your free consultation!