Like the rest of the country, Arizona is no stranger to employment discrimination. Despite multiple federal and state laws prohibiting employment discrimination, there are between 50,000 and 100,000 employment discrimination claims annually.
When you find yourself the target of employment discrimination, it’s easy to feel defeated and overwhelmed. However, the best way to improve your life is by standing up to discrimination and vindicating your rights. With one of our Scottsdale employment discrimination lawyers at your side, we can quickly get you back on track. Read on to learn more about how our talented group of Scottsdale employment discrimination attorneys can help you today.
Understanding Employment Discrimination
Employment discrimination involves an employer’s inequitable or prejudicial treatment of somebody because of the victim’s specific attributes. Both federal and state legislation make it illegal for employers to base employment decisions on characteristics like race, gender, age, disability, religion, and sexual orientation. These protections extend to every aspect of the world of employment. Specific examples include:
- Recruitment,
- Termination,
- Promotion,
- Compensation, and
- Ancillary job perks.
Employment discrimination laws cover more than just decisions affecting your employment status. They also prevent actions that contribute to a hostile or offensive work environment. This includes both verbal and physical behaviors that are inappropriate, discriminatory, or harassing in nature. These laws aim to promote fairness and equality in the workplace and ensure everyone has the same opportunities. That said, these laws only work effectively if people stand up to enforce them. With the help of one of our Scottsdale employment discrimination attorneys, defending your rights becomes much more manageable.
What Are Some Common Signs of Employee Discrimination?
Recognizing discrimination in the workplace is often an uphill battle. Although some employers are foolish enough to discriminate openly, others are more subtle. Whatever the case, there are almost always common indicators of discriminatory practices. These include:
- Disparate Treatment. Unequal or different treatment of employees because of certain inherent characteristics is the most important sign of discrimination. One classic example is not receiving a bonus because of race or gender prejudice.
- Stereotyping. Discrimination frequently involves assumptions or generalizations about you because of your race, gender, or age. This might manifest in someone giving you less work because they think you’re too old to do it effectively.
- Exclusion. Systematically excluding certain employees from crucial meetings, projects, or social events is another frequent sign of discrimination. Even minor exclusions from meetings or group events can hinder your career growth.
- Retaliation. Often, the scariest part of discrimination is retaliation or the threat of it. Employers who threaten demotion or termination against people who oppose discriminatory practices create a culture of fear and suppress the reporting of unfair treatment.
- Hostile Work Environment. This sign manifests as a pervasive culture of offensive jokes and inappropriate comments. At worst, it can include violence or threats of violence to marginalize you or force you to quit your job.
Keep in mind that discrimination can range from subtle to blatant. Sneaky employers will often try to disguise discrimination as legitimate business-related actions. For example, a manager may cite economic layoffs as a reason for terminating an employee when the decision is actually rooted in racial bias. Unsure about whether you’re experiencing discrimination? That’s no problem. Consult with one or more experienced Scottsdale workplace discrimination attorneys to get clarity.
How Do I Prove Employment Discrimination in Court?
Successfully proving an employment discrimination claim requires demonstrating several key elements. These can vary depending on the specifics of your case. That said, the elements you need to establish are:
- Membership in a protected class. Show that you belong to one class that receives legal protection under the law. Examples include race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
- One or more adverse employment actions. Illustrate how you experienced a negative action that relates to your employment. Examples include a termination, an unsuccessful job application, a reduction in pay, or a denial of office benefits.
- Connection between the adverse action and your protected characteristic. The most challenging element to demonstrate is showing a relation between the adverse treatment you suffered and your race, sex, or other characteristic. The challenge is proving your employer acted because of discrimination rather than a legitimate business reason.
These are the three key elements. But how do you make your case in court? As with other areas of law, it all comes down to the quantity and quality of your evidence.
Collecting the Right Evidence
Proving discrimination in the workplace becomes challenging when employers offer alternative, non-discriminatory reasons for their decisions. Overcoming these pretextual reasons requires gathering and presenting compelling evidence. It is possible to collect evidence on your own. However, it’s far better to trust in the services of a group of Scottsdale workplace discrimination lawyers instead. Their expertise becomes invaluable here. They can help you gather necessary evidence by requesting documents from your employer. They can also depose individuals and have them witness on your behalf during a hearing.
Once your lawyer has collected ample documentary and testamentary evidence, they can construct a compelling argument to support your claim. For instance, your attorney could use confidential corporate documents and witness statements to demonstrate discriminatory patterns.
Another benefit of having an employment attorney on your case is their oral advocacy abilities. These skills make a tremendous difference in negotiations as well as in hearings. They can simultaneously be your voice while presenting a compelling, objective case on your behalf.
Our Outstanding Group of Scottsdale Workplace Discrimination Lawyers Are Ready to Vindicate Your Rights
At Shields Petitti & Zoldan, PLC, our dedicated attorneys stand ready to champion your rights in workplace discrimination cases. With over 50 years of combined experience representing clients across Phoenix and Scottsdale, we bring knowledge and expertise to every case we handle. Our firm is both experienced and successful in advocating for our clients. During our practice, we’ve recovered over $20,000,000 for our clients in various legal disputes.
Yet our commitment goes beyond just excellence in legal representation. We aim to protect your interests and resolve your disputes with as little stress and disruption. You’re not just hiring a lawyer by choosing Shields Petitti & Zoldan, PLC. You’re partnering with a deeply invested team in your success and well-being.Don’t let workplace discrimination challenges overwhelm you. Reach out to us today to start the journey towards justice and the vindication of your rights. Contact us to set up a consultation and take the first step towards resolving your employment disputes.