Employment Discrimination Lawyer Toledo Ohio

What Constitutes Workplace Discrimination?

Workplace discrimination is when a company, organization, or agency takes discriminatory actions against an employee or job applicant. Under several federal and state laws, companies, organizations, and agencies have legal obligations to treat employees and applicants equally and fairly regardless of race, age, sex, gender, national origin, disability, pregnancy, religion, LGBTQ status, or military service status.

The above characteristics are considered “protected classes” by federal and state laws. For reference, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces several federal laws that protect the rights of individuals that fall under a number of these protected classes.

The EEOC enforces laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA), Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and more.

For a complete list of laws that the EEOC enforces, see their page here.

To help you understand if you are protected by federal or state laws as an employee, consider speaking with an employment discrimination lawyer in Toledo, Ohio. With in-depth knowledge of how different discrimination laws work, the team at The Friedmann Firm, LLC can look over your case and can provide advice and representation.

What Are Some Examples of Employment Discrimination in Ohio?

Employment discrimination can take many forms – both very obvious and more subtle. Below we describe a few examples of situations that could potentially be employment discrimination.

Note: These are hypothetical examples. Please speak with a Toledo workplace discrimination lawyer for assistance in determining if your unique situation could be employment discrimination.

• Have you been in an interview where the hiring manager has made pointed comments about your age? Age-related comments could be “we are looking for candidates that will not want to retire in a few years” or if an offensive joke about your age was made during the interview.
• If you have been asked not to return to your position after requesting maternity leave.
• If you have been denied promotions, benefits, or fired based on an existing disability.
• If your supervisor, coworkers, or even non-workers make derogatory comments about you based on your religious practices.

Are you dealing with a similar situation or suspect that you have been on the receiving end of discrimination at work? Reach out to our workplace discrimination law firm in Toledo, OH today for a free consultation.

A Closer Look at Protected Classes

Under federal and Ohio state law, some protected classes include:

Age

Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), all workers who are age 40 or older are protected against age discrimination. An employer cannot discriminate against a worker based on their age. Age discrimination can look like older workers being laid off or fired while younger workers are kept on or if an older worker is passed over on a promotion for a younger person, provided that the older worker is more qualified.

Race or Color and National Origin

Both Title VII and Ohio state laws strictly prohibit employers from discriminating against employees and job applicants on the basis of race or national origin. Typically, when faced with racial or national origin discrimination, you will need to inform your employer of it in writing. A Toledo workplace discrimination lawyer can walk you through this process and any other steps that may come afterward.

Mental or Physical Disability

Employees and job applicants are protected by the ADA. The protection offered by the ADA requires employers to treat both employees and applicants exactly as they would other individuals who are non-disabled. The ADA also makes it illegal for employers to retaliate against an individual who has complained or filed a charge of discrimination related to disability discrimination or a failure to accommodate a disability.

Religion

Unlawful religious discrimination is protected by federal law and in the Ohio Revised Code Section 4112-5. Both traditional religions such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and other sincerely held religious beliefs are afforded protection by the law. Things like religious accommodations that do not pose undue hardship and the ability to wear certain religious items in the workplace are typically protected.

So, What Can A Toledo Employment Discrimination Attorney Help With?

A Toledo employment discrimination attorney from The Friedmann Firm can assist you in determining the kind of discrimination you are facing, filing a charge of discrimination with the EEOC, and pursuing a lawsuit should your case escalate to that level.

We are here to provide aggressive representation to protect your rights as an employee.

Contact a Toledo Employment Discrimination Lawyer Today

Workplace discrimination can take many forms, including what we discussed above. Any situation that you might find yourself in where you are facing unequal and unfair treatment from your place of employment that is motivated by discriminatory intent should be addressed.

The Friedmann Firm is a workplace discrimination law firm for Toledo, OH that is set on seeking justice for employees of all backgrounds. We have appeared in local and federal courts to handle employment discrimination cases across multiple industries, so please do not hesitate to contact our team.

Contact an experienced employment discrimination lawyer in Toledo, Ohio today over the phone at 614-610-9755 or by filling out our online contact form. We can take a closer look at your case and move forward from there.

Your first consultation will be free and confidential.