Chattanooga law does not prescribe specific laws for workplace discrimination. Discrimination in Chattanooga is defined by state and federal law, which are controlling. Workplace discrimination under those laws is defined as any kind of discrimination or unfair treatment that is based on a person’s gender, disability, race, religion, age, or national origin. If you have been subjected to discrimination while at your place of work, it is important that you speak to a Chattanooga workplace discrimination lawyer that could help you file a discrimination case. A seasoned FLSA lawyer could devote the time and resources necessary to achieve a positive outcome for you.
Laws and Statutes That Address Workplace Discrimination
The primary laws that address and govern workplace discrimination include the federal Civil Rights Act which outlaws discrimination based on race, religion, gender, disability, national origin, discrimination, and harassment. Under Tennessee law, these classes are protected from discrimination under the Tennessee Human Rights Act. Again, the EEOC is the enforcement agency under federal law for the Civil Rights Act. Tennessee has the Tennessee Human Rights Commission which is the enforcement agency for the state law claims.
Common Types of Discrimination in the Workplace
One of the most common types of discrimination in the workplace is sexual harassment. That is something that has always been a problem in the workplace. This problem is improving over time but unfortunately, it is still a big problem. Often Chattanooga workplace discrimination lawyers see supervisors harassing employees, inappropriate touching, or inappropriate comments. Discrimination based on someone’s medical issues is also a common form of discrimination. People will make claims under the FMLA when they require specific medical attention for a certain illness or problem. Frequently discrimination lawyers may also see employers overlooking and not properly addressing an employee’s medical issues.
Severity of Different Types of Workplace Discrimination
The federal and state laws that apply to Chattanooga protect employees only for race, religion, gender, disability, national origin, discrimination, and harassment. Someone may be being discriminated against or treated unfairly for other reasons that do not relate to being a member of one of these protected classes. As unfortunate as they might be, to be protected by federal law the mistreatment has to occur because they are a member of one of the protected classes.
To give an example, something like a person’s hair color is not a protected category. If an employer was discriminating against people with red hair, and only liked people with brown hair, that may be silly but it would not be a violation of federal law.
Differences Between Workplace Harassment and Workplace Discrimination
Discrimination is any kind of difference in treatment or differences in the terms and conditions of employment when that difference is based on the person’s race, religion, gender, age, national origin, or disability. Discrimination is all about differences in treatment.
Harassment is a type of discrimination. Harassment is about unfair treatment such as name-calling. Harassment can be defined as rude, inappropriate, or offensive treatment based on one of the categories that discrimination is based upon, race, religion, gender, age, national origin, or disability.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The main agency overseeing discrimination law is the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the EEOC. The EEOC is an administrative agency. A person and their workplace discrimination lawyer in Chattanooga are required under federal law to file a complaint with the EEOC before they are allowed to file an official lawsuit. A person has to file a charge with the EEOC that has to be signed by the complainant. Once the charge is filed, the EEOC will conduct an investigation where they will hear from the employee as well as the employer. The EEOC will either charge the employer themselves or grant the employee leave to sue the employer.
Protections from Workplace Discrimination
Under federal and state law, employees are protected from discrimination and harassment based on race, religion, gender, disability, and national origin. These protections also cover things like sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is a type of gender discrimination. Federal law also has requirements that employers must provide accommodations to suit a person’s religious beliefs or personal medical condition. There are other laws that provide other protections. For example, under the FMLA, a person cannot be retaliated against for making a complaint under the FMLA.
Consulting a Chattanooga Workplace Discrimination Attorney
You should feel comfortable and safe at your place of work. If you have been discriminated against while on the job, it is important to consult a qualified Chattanooga workplace discrimination lawyer. An experienced legal advocate would be aware of the differences between harassment and discrimination and can use this knowledge when building your case. Speak with a capable workplace harassment attorney can help protect your rights. A qualified lawyer could work tirelessly to advocate for you.