We Handle All Types of Discrimination Cases

• Sex discrimination
• Pregnancy discrimination
• Disability discrimination
• Age discrimination
• Discrimination because of religion or religious practice
• Race discrimination
• National origin discrimination
• Others protected by law

Race Discrimination

Race discrimination or harassment can take many forms, such as:

• Failure to hire, promote, or offer training because of race
• Racial or ethnic slurs or derogatory comments that create a hostile workplace

Sex Discrimination

If an employee is treated less favorably in the workplace because of his or her sex there may be a valid discrimination claim. For example:

• A manager or supervisor berates an employee or group of employees based on gender 
• A woman is treated fairly until she becomes pregnant, then she is harassed, fired or demoted
• An employer pays a female employee less than a similarly-situated male employee

Age Discrimination

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against employees who are 40 years of age or older. With few exceptions, employers are forbidden from making decisions such as hiring, promotion, demotion, termination, compensation, benefits, and job training, based on the age of the applicant or employee if the employee is age 40 or older.

Remedies available under the ADEA include lost wages, front pay (pay to compensate you for lost future earnings that you would have earned, had you not been discriminated against), or reinstatement, and attorney’s fees and court costs. If the violation is particularly severe, then a court can award “liquidated damages” as well.

Discrimination based on Disability

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination based on disability. Employers may not make decisions related to hiring, firing, promotions, job assignments or compensation based upon an employee’s disability or history of a disability, whether this disability is actual or simply perceived. If a potential hire or employee is disabled but can perform the essential duties of the job at hand, either with or without a reasonable accommodation, then the employee is entitled to be treated the same as employees who are not disabled.

The law requires employers to make reasonable accommodations to help a disabled employee perform his or her job, unless the accommodations would pose an undue hardship for the employer. An employer is obligated to engage in an interactive process with you to discuss possible reasonable accommodations when you have made known your need for one.  

Discrimination based on Religion

It is illegal for employers to discriminate against employees on the basis of religion. “Religion” includes all aspects of religious observance and practice. Employers are forbidden from making decisions regarding hiring, promotion, demotion, termination, compensation, job training and other terms and conditions of employment based on the employee’s religion.

Contact A Virginia Discrimination Lawyer

If you feel you have experienced discrimination in the workplace, please call us at (434) 972-9600 or use our contact form below.