Common Questions About On-The-Job Discrimination
At Berman Law Firm, P.A., answering questions is a large part of what we do every day. Attorney Craig Berman has been practicing employment law for more than 30 years. He founded this firm to help employees fight back in the face of injustices in the workplace such as discrimination and harassment.
Review the sample questions below and then bring your own personalized, urgent questions to our attention. We hope to hear from you soon.
I have been fired and I was the only person of my ethnicity or skin color at my place of employment. Do I have a clear-cut discrimination case and what can I do about it?
A review of a broad set of facts may provide an answer to your question. If your employer has a pattern of dismissing workers because of their race or national origin, this may be a sign that illegal discrimination has occurred. On the other hand, if your employer has documentation of performance issues – such as frequent tardy arrivals or insufficient productivity, your termination may not have had anything to do with your identity. Ask an attorney to look into your situation.
Can my Florida employer legally forbid me to dye my hair a bright color or wear certain clothing, such as garments with religious connotations or clothes typically worn by people of the opposite sex?
If your supervisor has put pressure on you for such reasons, you may wonder whether this equals illegal discrimination on the job. It is natural for you to believe that your employer has discriminated illegally against you after you have experienced trouble over your appearance. An attorney can help you review details such as a dress code you may have agreed to or a pattern of similar discrimination against other workers.
My religious beliefs do not allow me to handle certain types of meat or certain types of medications, but my job requires me to do so. My employer refuses to make exceptions or give me reasonable accommodations. What are my legal options?
According to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, your employer should make a good-faith effort to accommodate your sincerely held religious beliefs. However, if your limitations based on your religious faith will put an undue hardship on your employer, they may not be required to make exceptions. Request legal advice to determine what legal remedies you may have if you cannot handle pork or contraceptives or lottery tickets because of your religious beliefs.
My political views are different than those of my employer. I recently posted something on a social media outlet that revealed my political beliefs. Today, my employer demoted or terminated me. Is this legal?
The nature of your work may hold the answer to this question. For example, you may have a government job and as part of the code of ethics, you are not to communicate your political views publicly. If you agreed to this restriction when you accepted the job, you may have violated the terms of your employment contract. On the other hand, your employer may have crossed a line and violated your privacy by punishing you for personal online activity. Ask an employment law attorney to review the facts and help you take the next steps in your best interests.
My employer is respectful of me but some of my fellow employees are not. I have been the target of verbal abuse in the workplace. My employer has apparently done nothing to curb these hurtful and distracting communications. What can I do?
Your employer may be violating the Civil Rights Act by allowing a hostile work environment to continue to harm you. You may have discrimination claims against your coworkers as well as your employer. Our employment law attorney can guide you in reporting harassment and discrimination to the right government authorities.
I am worried that I may be fired if I report or complain about illegal discrimination in my workplace. How can I get relief as well as justice?
It is not only illegal to discriminate against employees or harass them, but it is also illegal to retaliate against employees who speak up. Before you take the next steps, consult with an employment law attorney about how to prepare to file a lawsuit alleging retaliatory discharge or harassment if that becomes necessary.
Bring Us Your Questions About Discrimination
The questions and answers above are general and may not reflect all critical aspects of your situation. If you believe you have been a target of illegal employment discrimination in Florida, contact Berman Law Firm, P.A., at 727-547-3316 or complete our online inquiry form. Get personalized answers.