When Should I Contact a Civil Rights Attorney About Workplace Discrimination?

Workplace discrimination creates a toxic environment where employees feel helpless and undervalued. Experiencing bias or unfair treatment at work deeply impacts your morale, confidence and overall well-being. When this discrimination stems from legally protected characteristics such as race, gender, religion or age, it transcends workplace issues and enters the realm of civil rights violations. At Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC, we believe in standing up for employees’ rights and ensuring that justice is served when discrimination occurs. Employees should know when to escalate a workplace matter with a civil rights attorney. 

Recognizing When to Seek Legal Advice

Discrimination in the workplace can range from subtle biases to overt harassment. It’s essential to understand when these behaviors warrant contacting a civil rights attorney.

Persistent Harassment Creating a Hostile Work Environment

If you experience ongoing harassment based on a protected characteristic, such as sexual comments, racial slurs or offensive jokes, it’s likely time to seek legal counsel. A hostile work environment not only undermines your ability to do your job but also violates your civil rights. Document the incidents in detail, and if the harassment persists without resolution, a civil rights attorney can help you address it.

Retaliation After Reporting Discrimination

Retaliation is illegal, yet it’s a common fear among employees. If you’ve reported discrimination to your employer and suddenly face negative consequences like demotion, termination or exclusion from projects, this is a clear violation of your rights. Retaliation can be subtle, such as a shift in attitude or workload, or overtly damaging, such as being fired without just cause. An experienced attorney can help you hold your employer accountable.

Bias in Promotions or Pay Decisions

Consistently being passed over for promotions, receiving lower pay than your peers for similar work or being excluded from professional development opportunities can all indicate workplace discrimination. If these decisions are based on protected characteristics, such as your gender, age or national origin, it’s a civil rights issue requiring immediate legal attention.

Wrongful Termination

Losing your job because of discrimination can be devastating. If your termination seems connected to a protected characteristic or stems from retaliation for reporting misconduct, it’s time to contact a civil rights attorney who can investigate on your behalf.

Distinguishing Civil Rights and Employment Law

It’s important to understand how your situation intersects with both employment law and civil rights law. While employment laws protect against general workplace unfairness like unpaid wages or breach of contract, civil rights laws focus more specifically on bias or mistreatment tied to legally protected characteristics. Federal law, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, ensures protections against discrimination in the workplace, while state laws may further bolster your rights.

Recognizing this distinction helps clarify the legal avenues available to you. Employment laws broadly address workplace conduct, while civil rights laws uphold equality and justice for employees facing discriminatory actions.

We Can Help You Take Action

No one deserves to endure workplace discrimination, and the law is firmly on your side. If you suspect unfair treatment, harassment or retaliation, Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC helps you explore possible resolutions. With our combined experience in civil rights and employment law, we can work together to protect your rights and hold wrongdoers accountable. Contact us today and take the first step toward a fair and respectful workplace.