What Is Employment Discrimination?

The law does not require that employers treat their employees with respect, nor does it require that employers always be fair or treat everyone in the same manner.  Our attorneys at Livingston, Adler, Pulda, Meiklejohn & Kelly, PC can help you identify whether you have suffered a potentially valid instance of employment discrimination.

The determination of this question is a complex issue, but we have decades of experience working with employees on these cases and we can provide the knowledgeable guidance you need when you have experienced discrimination.

Possible Employment Discrimination Claims

However, it is unlawful for an employer to refuse to hire or promote, to discipline, to terminate, to harass or to otherwise treat an employee differently because of the person’s:

• Race
• Color
• National origin
• Religion
• Age (under Federal law, this means if you are age 40 or older)
• Sex/gender (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related medical conditions)
• Sexual orientation (in Connecticut and some other states)
• Physical, mental or learning disability (as defined by the disability laws)
• Genetic Information
• Marital status (in Connecticut)
• Because the employee joined a union or banded with other employees to change working conditions
• Criminal record (in state employment & licensing only).

What Should You Do?

Talk to an attorney, preferably one with experience in labor and employment law, about what has occurred. The attorney can help you understand your rights and how to best protect yourself, as well as discuss whether to assert a claim of discrimination (whether informally by making your concerns known to the employer, or formally by filing a discrimination complaint with the appropriate agency).

There are usually very strict deadlines within which to bring formal complaints of discrimination, so it is very important to talk to an attorney early. (In Connecticut, a complaint must be filed with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities within 300 days of the adverse employment action).

Experienced Discrimination? Give Us A Call

If you have more questions about your employment rights and whether you have a discrimination case, call our Hartford office at 860-454-9608 or use our convenient online contact form to make an appointment for a free telephone consultation to discuss your situation with our attorneys.