Fighting for you
If you have a claim against an employer or coworker, I will fight your case.
Straight talk
I will let you know if you have a claim or not after your free consultation.
No upfront fees
I work entirely on a contingency basis. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.
What do federal and state laws say about workplace discrimination?
Federal and state laws provide protection for employees in all professions who have been:
- Wrongfully terminated from their employment
- Forced to quit
- Discriminated against by their employer but who remain in their positions
- Discriminated against by coworkers
This is a very broad area that involves many different employment situations.
Federal laws have evolved over time, with the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 still underpinning employment law.
The Equal Pay Act, for example, prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in the payment of wages or benefits.
The states have their own laws that further protect from discrimination in some categories not covered by federal law, such as:
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- Marital status
- Medical condition
- Political affiliation
- Personal appearance, weight, and height (in some states)
In our state, the Florida Civil Rights Act protects you, in addition to federal law.
You are protected not only from discrimination and harassment in the workplace but from retaliation against making a complaint about it.
This protection applies to complaints made within your organization.
It also applies to external discrimination complaints made with bodies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR).
You are also protected from retaliation for filing a lawsuit.
What types of discrimination are you protected against in Florida?
Workplace discrimination can occur in connection with many aspects of employment.
These include:
- Hiring
- Compensation (wages or salaries)
- Job assignments
- Transfers
- Disciplinary measures
- Promotions
- Terminations
- Employee evaluations
- Use of company facilities
- Training programs
- Fringe benefits
- Retirement plans
- Disability leave
Discrimination can also occur in a variety of different categories:
- Race/color discrimination
- Age discrimination
- Gender discrimination
- Nation of origin discrimination
- Disability discrimination
- Pregnancy discrimination
In Florida, you are protected against discrimination in all the categories listed above, as well as religious discrimination.
Have you lost out in your job because of suspected discrimination?
Being denied a position because of age, color, or race is a clear-cut and obvious case of workplace discrimination. However, it should be remembered that employers can discriminate against you based on a variety of factors in a variety of circumstances.
It may be just a feeling that you are being treated differently to coworkers in your organization or that the workplace culture is not right. Your complaint could be because of one type of discrimination or several at the same time.
For example, an employee who is given a lower rate of pay than a coworker because of suspected discrimination against his or her gender, country of origin, religious beliefs, and race.
Whatever the type of discrimination, it could negatively impact your:
- Career
- Income or finances
- Wellbeing
- Mental health
You have a right to stand up against this and report it – even if you are fearful that you might lose your job. Remember, the law protects you from retaliation by an employer so they cannot fire you for making a claim or complaint.
If you suspect that you have been discriminated against, first seek legal advice. There are several courses of action you may be able to take.
If you have been a victim of workplace discrimination in Florida, what can you do?
If you have been discriminated against in the workplace, you may be able to take legal action that requires your employer to:
- Take action to restore you to the same position you would have been in if the discrimination had not taken place
- Pay damages to compensate you for back pay, benefits, emotional distress, suffering, and so on
- Prevent future acts of discrimination
If you are just starting to experience workplace discrimination, start keeping a record of the instances when it occurs and try to make a note of potential witnesses amongst your coworkers.
As an experienced Florida workplace discrimination attorney, I can help assess your case and, if legal action is the right option, take the necessary steps to build your case.
Contact a Florida workplace discrimination lawyer
From here, we need to:
- Assess your claim: book a free phone consultation below
- Decide whether to pursue a complaint: after our consultation
- File a complaint or lawsuit: with a local or federal agency, or state or federal court
- Prepare the paperwork: so that we can draft the complaint or lawsuit
Contact our law firm Brenton Legal P.A. today.
Testimonials
Impressed, does his homework, objective and passionate. This guy does not sugar coat the facts he will tell you straight up what’s going on and in today’s world that’s important. If you have a legal issue this guy will stand by you and fight for you. Very impressed.
Ryan represented us in a high-profile religious discrimination lawsuit. His work product and professionalism are exceptional.
I had a great experience with Ryan. Awesome lawyer but also very caring and genuine. Communicates very well. I know where to go if I ever have an issue and will absolutely be recommending this firm to whoever I can.
When it comes to family, everyone would agree you do not just walk into any law office. You do your research. You talk to people. You make sure you are going to receive representation that you can wholeheartedly trust, at a reasonable value, and that will place you or your family member in a better position. Brenton Legal is that law firm – bar none. I trust this firm to help guide my family and that should tell you everything you need to know if you read reviews.
Do you have an employment claim?
Call, text, email, or chat. We answer 24/7 for emergencies.