Blog Category | Employment discrimination

Downsizing is the process of reducing the size of a workforce. People are being laid off from their jobs. Effectively, this isn’t much different than being fired for any of these employees, but it often happens en masse. For example, a company will cut 10% of its workforce, which could...

Wrongful termination is when you are fired in a way that violates your rights. For example, maybe the firing was discriminatory. Your employer decided to let you go based on your gender, your religion or your race. It’s illegal for them to do this, and you may need to seek...

Genetic discrimination in the workplace is unlawful at the federal level in the U.S. This type of discrimination can affect hiring decisions, promotions, job assignments and other employment practices. And while it is a lesser-known kind of mistreatment than, say racial or religious discrimination, it is important for workers to...

There’s been a lot of drama around the U.S. Supreme Court recently, certain justices and some highly divisive rulings. However, a recent (and rare) unanimous ruling will make it a little easier for employees to prevail in discrimination claims. The ruling addresses Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of...

Unless specified otherwise in an employment contract, workers in Pennsylvania are employed at will. What this means is that they can be terminated at any time without notice. At the same time, it also means that employees can walk away from a job if they want to without providing notice. ...

Employees have the right to expect to have a workplace free of discrimination. Yet, there are several different types of discrimination that still occur in Pennsylvania workplaces. One of them is racial discrimination. Racial discrimination can stem from various aspects of a person’s appearance. This can include their skin color,...

Bullying in the workplace is a significant concern that can profoundly affect the mental health, productivity and overall well-being of employees. While not all forms of workplace bullying are legally actionable, certain conditions and circumstances may elevate bullying behavior from being unethical to illegal. Understanding the distinction is important for...

It’s easy to recognize obvious signs of workplace discrimination. If a business allows employees to use racial or homophobic slurs casually, that’s a sign of a workplace that isn’t protecting its employees. The same is true for businesses that won’t make even minor accommodations for disabled or pregnant employees. Most...

You might have a valid discrimination claim against your employer if you have been treated unequally or unfairly based on a protected characteristic such as race, gender, age, religion or disability. However, proving your case often requires more than word of mouth. Presenting evidence supporting your claim is crucial when...

When a company has to downsize, its owner or CEO may express remorse. They may say that they wish they didn’t have to let people go, but there’s no choice. It’s just a financial decision to keep the company out of the red. The implication here is the downsizing couldn’t...

Pregnancy discrimination in the workplace is a serious issue that affects many women, impacting their professional lives and overall well-being. Recognizing and understanding what this form of discrimination looks like is the first step in combating it. It is important to understand that pregnancy discrimination can manifest in various ways,...

Discrimination in the workplace is morally and legally wrong, but many employers continue this harmful practice. They may offer various excuses for allowing such conduct in the work environment, but most are invalid or do not apply. Citing bona fide occupational qualifications (BFOQ) is one way some Pennsylvania employers may...

They say 40 is the new 20, which may be true regarding your confidence, health and physical abilities. However, it could be just the opposite in your workplace as some employers continue to make youth a condition of employment, albeit covertly. Millennials, known for being progressive and creative, are nearing...

It is illegal for companies to discriminate against employees due to protected characteristics. The owner of a company has to give everyone an equal opportunity to seek employment. Overt discrimination used to happen in previous generations, but it is far less common today. It is highly unlikely that a company...

American employees in the modern world have a deeper understanding of their employment rights than ever before. As such, workers can usually recognize when they are experiencing discrimination in the workplace. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) covers workplace discrimination, defines prohibited acts and guides victims toward a solution. To...

Applying for a new job is nerve-racking enough on its own, so you don’t want your résumé working against you.  While age discrimination is never legal, there are subtle ways HR departments can suss out a candidate’s likely age range simply by paying close attention to their submitted résumé. Below...

Some women in Pennsylvania become pregnant because they have made a concerted effort to conceive. For others, pregnancy develops as an unanticipated medical condition. Yet, regardless of whether or not a pregnant woman planned in advance to have a child, she will have a few challenges ahead of her if...

If you have suffered unlawful discrimination, harassment or retaliation in the workplace, the circumstances you’ve been compelled to endure may have been truly traumatizing. And even if you wouldn’t describe your situation as traumatic, it is likely that the mistreatment you’ve been subjected to has caused you considerable stress. It...

Requesting a disability accommodation at work is an important step towards ensuring equal opportunities and a supportive work environment if you have a disabling condition that makes certain aspects of your work experience more difficult than they need to be.  Employers are legally required to provide reasonable accommodations to disabled...

Employers are not allowed to discriminate against you on the basis of your age. If you’re 40 years old or older, that cannot be used as a reason to terminate your position, deny you a promotion or reject you for a job that you applied for. Your age is not...

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued some new guidance for employers regarding applicants and employees who are deaf or hearing impaired. This guidance isn’t the result of a new law or even a new rule. It’s intended to clarify the current law to employers, employees and courts making decisions on...

Workers have numerous discrimination protection rights, which allow them to work efficiently while feeling safe – but discrimination can still happen at work. People often bring their biases with them into the workplace, and that negatively affects a lot of others. With that in mind, here are six kinds of...

Employers in the United States must ensure that discrimination and harassment aren’t present in the workplace. Racial and national origin discrimination are two problem areas for some companies, but this doesn’t mean that workers have to sit back and deal with illegal behavior. There are many ways that employees can...

Pregnancy will take its toll on even the healthiest woman’s body. Some women experience morning sickness that leaves them weak during early pregnancy. Others have issues with gestational diabetes or high blood pressure that put their safety in the health of their unborn baby at risk. Thankfully, many women are...

The majority of successful companies have a diverse workforce, which includes older workers. Older workers typically bring a lot to the table, such as composure, work ethic and experience. Sadly, this is not always how older workers are viewed, and stereotypes still very much exist.  Debunking some of the more...

Federal and state laws protect workers against various types of employment discrimination. Discrimination based on medical conditions and physical disabilities can deprive individuals of an opportunity to support themselves and contribute to society because of a medical issue outside of their control. Disability discrimination, like all other forms of discrimination,...