Despite laws to protect workers, discrimination and inequality in the workplace still exist. Workers are sometimes treated unjustly or compensated unfairly because of their race, age, color, religion, sex, disability, or other traits. This may include violations like receiving unequal pay, or being denied promotions, overtime pay, benefits, or other job privileges. Sometimes, employment is denied altogether, or unfair termination occurs.
If you believe you have been the victim of workplace discrimination or wage and labor violations, you may be entitled to seek compensation. A Washington D.C. labor and employment lawyer may be able to help you recover damages.
What You May Recover
According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the goal of wage and labor compensation is to put victims of discrimination in relatively the same financial position they would be in had the discrimination never happened. The EEOC recognizes several types of awards that victims of workplace discrimination may seek.
- Compensatory damages. These awards compensate victims for expenses caused by intentional discrimination. This may include back-pay, overtime pay, and costs associated with finding new employment. A court may order your job be reinstated, or order you be given a promotion you were denied because of discrimination. Compensatory damages can be awarded for pain and suffering, like anxiety, mental anguish, or loss of enjoyment of life. These damages may also be awarded to cover court costs and attorney fees.
- Punitive damages. Punitive damages may be awarded to victims when an employer’s act of discrimination is particularly malicious. The sum awarded is meant to punish the employer for their actions.
- Liquidated damages. These damages are awarded under the Equal Pay Act in cases of intentional age or sex-based discrimination. Liquidated damages, much like punitive damages, are awarded in cases where the employer’s behavior is particularly reckless or malicious. The amount of liquidated damages is equal to the amount of back-pay won by the victim.
If you believe you have been the victim of discrimination in the workplace, Ben Crump Law, PLLC wants to help you seek any awards you may be owed. Discrimination is not only wrong, but it is also illegal, and employers who discriminate against their workers should be held accountable. Call our legal team at (888) 778-6391 today for a free case evaluation.
About Discrimination Laws
People can experience discrimination for a number of reasons, all of which are illegal. People are protected from discrimination by both Washington D.C. law and federal laws.
The Washington D.C. Human Rights Act
The Human Rights Act protects people who live, work, or visit Washington D.C. from discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, and educational institutions. The Human Rights Act recognizes 21 protected traits, including race, color, sexual orientation and gender presentation, sex, religion, country of origin, and age.
If you believe you have been the victim of discrimination, you can file a complaint with the Washington D.C. Office of Human Rights (OHR). A Washington D.C. labor and employment lawyer may be able to help you with your complaint if you were discriminated against in the workplace. You have one year from the date of the discriminatory action to file your complaint with the OHR.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act, often referred to as Title VII, prohibits discrimination under federal law. Title VII established the EEOC to enforce the law and gives victims of discrimination the legal right to fight discriminatory actions in court. This law makes it illegal for employers to hire or fire, unfairly compensate, or withhold job privileges from anyone on the basis of their race, color, country of origin, sex, or religion.
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act
This act outlaws workplace discrimination based on a person’s age. It states that employers cannot refuse to hire or fire employees because of their age. A person also cannot be denied equal compensation, terms, or benefits of employment for age-related reasons.
The Equal Pay Act
Under the Equal Pay Act of 1963, workplace discrimination on the basis of sex is illegal. Gender discrimination is prohibited in hiring, firing, determining compensation, offering workplace training, or considering employees for promotion.
The Americans With Disabilities Act
Title I of the Americans With Disabilities Act guarantees equal employment opportunities and benefits to people with disabilities. This act states that employers cannot discriminate on the basis of a person’s disability, and qualified job applicants must be supplied with reasonable accommodations in order to perform their job without undue hardship.
If you believe you have suffered from workplace discrimination and want to file a federal lawsuit, you must first lodge a complaint with the EEOC. In most cases, you have 300 days from the time of the incident to file your complaint. Once the EEOC has completed its investigation, you will be given a Notice of Right to Sue. You have 90 days from receipt of the notice to file your lawsuit. A Washington D.C. labor and employment lawyer can help you through this process.
If you decide to move forward with a labor and employment lawsuit, it is illegal for your employer to seek retaliation. You cannot be fired, demoted, or otherwise disciplined for speaking with your employer about wage and labor violations or for filing a complaint.
For a free legal consultation with a labor and employment lawyer serving Washington DC, call (888) 778-6391
How Ben Crump Law, PLLC Can Help
Both federal laws and the laws of Washington D.C. aim to protect people from discrimination in the workplace. A Washington D.C. labor and employment lawyer with Ben Crump Law, PLLC may be able to help if your rights have been violated.
Our team does not shy away from tough cases. We want to help you stand up to discrimination in the workplace and hold employers responsible for discriminatory actions.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC works on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing up front and nothing out of pocket. Our fees are taken from any settlement we may secure on your behalf. Contact our team today at (888) 778-6391 to learn more about how we can help with your labor and employment lawsuit.
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