Avoid these mistakes in your workplace discrimination case

 Posted on May 01, 2024 in Employment Law

You should enjoy the equal employment opportunities that are provided to others at your job. Yet, employers often try to get away with discrimination to force employees out and to avoid recognizing their hard work.

If you've suffered an adverse employment decision because of your status in a protected class, then you should think about taking legal action to hold your employer accountable and to recover the compensation that you're owed.

While a workplace discrimination lawsuit might give you hope, as it should, these cases tend to be complex. And there are several missteps that can be made along the way that can jeopardize your claim. Therefore, you'll want to proceed with care and be cognizant of the mistakes that could cost you your ability to win your case.

Mistakes to avoid in your workplace discrimination case

Your workplace discrimination case might seem straightforward, but it can be complicated by a number of factors, including any errors that you make. To avoid making your case more convoluted, avoid making these mistakes:

• Minimizing what's been done to you: A lot of employers get away with discrimination because their employees simply write off discriminatory behavior as something less than what it is. Don't make that mistake. Minimizing the discriminatory behavior aimed at you can reduce the impact of your case and leave you on uncertain legal footing as you proceed with your claim.
• Talking to your co-workers about your case: You might feel a sense of relief by discussing the specifics of your case with your co-workers, but doing so could result in you saying something that can be taken out of context and used against you in your case. Remember, your employer can subpoena these individuals to testify in your case, so you'll want to be careful with what you say to them.
• Posting on social media: Social media can be another great outlet for your emotions and your frustrations, but your employer is going to keep an eye out for any posts that it might be able to use against you. Even when you think your privacy settings are strong enough to keep your employer away, remember that they may be able to see your friends' public profiles, which might give them access to the information they want.
• Failing to document discriminatory behavior: When your case goes to trial, you want the facts to be as clear as possible. But it can be challenging to paint a clear picture when you've been subjected to countless instances of discrimination over a significant period of time. By documenting these events in a journal, though, you can easily recall the details of them later, which will allow you to tell a more convincing story to the jury.
• Quitting your job too quickly: You might be tempted to quit your job right away once you think that you've been discriminated against, but you need to ensure that you build a strong record for your case. Report discrimination to your employer, document how the discrimination has impacted your employment, and hang in at your job as long as you can.

Avoid being your own worst enemy in your workplace discrimination case

There are a lot of moving parts to a workplace discrimination case. You don't want to throw a wrench into the process by making an avoidable mistake. That's why many workplace discrimination victims find it beneficial to work their case with a legal professional they trust to advocate for their interests.