Columbia, MD Employment Discrimination Attorneys
Attorneys for Discrimination Claims in Columbia, MD
Discrimination is an ongoing concern that affects many employees in the United States. Discrimination may be based on race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, and other protected characteristics, and it is not only unethical, but it is also illegal under federal and state laws. The effects of discrimination can be profound, leading to financial losses for employees, unfair treatment in the workplace, and other issues that can affect a person's life and career. If you have faced discrimination at work, or if your business needs assistance addressing discrimination claims, the employment law attorneys at Freedman Law, LLC can provide effective legal guidance and representation.
Understanding Employment Discrimination
When an employee or job applicant is treated unfavorably because of certain characteristics, this is considered to be discrimination. Employees and prospective employees can be affected in many ways by discrimination, including being passed over for hiring or promotions, receiving lower wages than other employees, being penalized for factors that are out of their control, or other issues that can limit their income and opportunities. Discrimination may include:
- Race Discrimination: Employees may be treated unfavorably because of their skin color, national origin, perceived ethnicity, or characteristics such as hair texture or facial features. Workers who are treated differently than people of other races may be able to address these issues through discrimination claims.
- Gender Discrimination: This form of discrimination, which is also known as sex discrimination, involves unfair treatment because of a person's gender or gender identity. It may include being treated differently based on gender stereotypes, refusing to make accommodations or provide family medical leave related to pregnancy, or failing to protect against sexual harassment. In many cases, sex discrimination will involve the failure to provide equal pay to people of different genders for equal work.
- Sexual Orientation Discrimination: This type of discrimination involves treating employees or job applicants unfairly because of their real or perceived sexual orientation. This form of discrimination includes adverse actions against those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or heterosexual. It may also involve unfair treatment related to a person's marital status or family, such as refusing to provide the same benefits to a same-sex spouse that would be available to spouses of opposite sexes.
- Age Discrimination: Some employees may be treated unfavorably because of their age, especially if they are older and are perceived as being less competent than younger workers. Older workers are protected against discrimination in hiring, promotion, termination, and other aspects of employment.
- Disability Discrimination: In some cases, employees may be treated unfavorably because of a disability or perceived disability. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employees who have disabilities must be provided with reasonable accommodations in the workplace unless doing so would cause undue hardship for an employer. Discrimination claims may address situations where employers refuse to provide accommodations or unfairly penalize employees based on physical or mental disabilities.
- Other Forms of Discrimination: Employment discrimination can also occur based on religion, marital status, military service, or other protected factors. Employees may be able to take legal action to address unfair and unequal treatment by employers that caused them to suffer career setbacks, financial losses, or emotional distress.
Helping Employees and Employers Address Discrimination
Discrimination can have a lasting impact on an employee's career, their family's finances, and their emotional well-being. The attorneys at Freedman Law, LLC are dedicated to helping employees protect their rights and address illegal actions by employers. We can help gather evidence to show that an employer treated an employee unfairly based on protected factors or did not take steps to prevent a hostile work environment. We will file the proper discrimination claims or lawsuits and work to resolve these issues in ways that will allow our clients to address the harm they have suffered.
We can also provide legal support to employers who need to address discrimination claims. These allegations can have serious legal and financial consequences for businesses while also affecting their reputations. It is essential to respond effectively to these issues and maintain compliance with the law. We can provide representation in discrimination lawsuits and work to negotiate settlements while making sure employers can implement policies that will prevent discrimination in the future.
Contact Our Columbia, MD Employment Discrimination Attorneys
At Freedman Law, LLC, we understand the profound impact that discrimination can have on a person's life and career. Our goal is to provide compassionate and effective legal representation to help hold employers accountable for unlawful conduct. We can also provide representation for employers to ensure that these issues can be resolved successfully. To set up a consultation and get legal help with your discrimination case, contact our law firm at 410-290-6232. We work with clients throughout the areas surrounding Columbia and Rockville, Maryland and McLean, Virginia.