By Attorney Raven Beach
Attorney Raven Perry-Beach, founder of Beach Law Practice and a dedicated advocate for veterans and community justice, joins Speakin’ Out News as its new legal columnist. With nearly 20 years of experience in Alabama, Tennessee, Massachusetts, and D.C. Perry-Beach is committed to educating the public on legal matters that impact everyday life.
QRS Corporation has employed Thomas for 20 years. He has a documented disability and suspects he is being passed over for promotions due to his age and disability. Thomas has repeatedly discussed his concerns with his supervisor, but they have not been resolved. In this scenario, Thomas believes that he is being illegally discriminated against.
Workplace discrimination is the unfair treatment of an employee or applicant based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and pregnancy. Examples of workplace discrimination include, but are not limited to: refusing to hire a qualified candidate, creating a hostile work environment, and taking adverse action against an employee for filing a discrimination complaint.
If you suspect that you are the victim of workplace discrimination, there are specific measures you should take to prepare to prove your position. First, keep written documentation of everything. This includes copies of disciplinary actions, complaints made, and evaluations. If there are witnesses to the alleged discrimination, you should identify and speak with them. Obtain their phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses. Ask your witness if he or she would be willing to sign an affidavit.
You should also continue performing your job well. If you are making a claim of discrimination of any kind, you must ensure that you are performing at an optimal level so that underperformance cannot be cited as a reason for the treatment you have received.
Finally, contact an attorney to discuss any potential legal claim, including filing a “Charge of Discrimination” with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). There are strict time limits for filing, so it is essential to know and understand your rights. Other possible remedies for workplace discrimination can be found under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967. Title VII is a federal law that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin and applies to employers with 15 or more employees. The ADEA is a federal law that protects individuals ages 40 and older from discrimination based on age.
Raven Perry-Beach, Esq.
107 Jefferson St.
Suite 14
Huntsville, AL 35801
(256) 799-0292
*Licensed in Alabama, Tennessee, Massachusetts, and DC
NO CLIENT RELATIONSHIP: Communication with an attorney does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship or constitute the provision or receipt of legal advice. Any communication from this office should be considered informational only, and should not be relied or acted upon until a formal attorney-client relationship is established by written agreement.