Answering Your Questions About Gender Discrimination At Work
At DeWitt Law, LLC, I’m proud to represent employees in Ohio. No employee should be subject to unfair treatment or conditions. However, sometimes certain behaviors can be hard to detect and define. I’m attorney Michael DeWitt, and I can answer your questions about gender discrimination in the workplace. Here are answers to a few common questions people ask:
What is gender discrimination at work? How is it defined legally?
Gender discrimination in the workplace involves treating someone, either an applicant or employee, unfairly due to their sex. This also can include discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy.
What are the different forms of gender discrimination in the workplace?
Gender discrimination can come in many forms, and some can be harder to identify than others. All forms of gender discrimination are forbidden by law in the workplace. This includes any aspect of employment, such as hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, training, benefits and layoffs, as well as any other term or condition of a person’s employment. Some examples could be not being hired, being given a lower-paying position, being denied a promotion, being insulted or intentionally misgendered, or being held to different standards based on gender.
What should I do if I am experiencing gender discrimination at work?
An employee’s first instinct when facing suspected or confirmed gender discrimination, or employment discrimination of any kind, might be to report the incident to their human resources department. However, it is much more in your best interests to contact an employment attorney first. An employment lawyer can advise you on the best possible course of action and guide you through the process. A lawyer will ensure your rights are protected and give you the right steps to take.
Are there any laws and regulations protecting against gender discrimination at work?
There are many laws and regulations designed to protect employees. The most prominent laws that prohibit gender discrimination are Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and The Equal Pay Act. Title VII forbids employers from treating employees differently due to sex. It also prohibits employment decisions (hiring, firing, promotions, etc.) based on stereotypes. The Equal Pay Act established regulations that require employers to give employers of all genders equal pay for equal work.
Additionally, the EEOC (the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) enforces the laws above, as well as laws that prohibit sexual harassment.
What does the law say about sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination?
As of June 2020, laws that protect employees from gender discrimination, such as the ones stated above, also protect employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Get In Touch To Learn More
If you’re facing gender discrimination or other types of unfair treatment at work, there is help. From my firm in Columbus, I have assisted employees for years in matters involving employers and workplace discrimination. I can help you hold your employers accountable, ensure fair treatment and get compensated for workplace discrimination violations. You don’t have to suffer in silence. Reach out to me for more information about what I can do to help. You can use my online contact form or call 614-762-9641 to get in touch with me.