Settlement Case in Deschutes County, Oregon
The settlement between Deputy Crystal Jansen and Deschutes County and Sheriff Shane Nelson is an example of a recent employment discrimination lawsuit by Meyer Employment Law. About four years ago, Deputy Jansen filed a discrimination complaint against the county and Sheriff Shane Nelson, alleging sex discrimination and other unlawful workplace conduct. She asserted that the Sheriff treated her differently because of her gender, subjected her to harassment, prevented her from advancing to higher positions, and denied her access to training opportunities that were available to male deputies.
The Sheriff responded by claiming that promotions were awarded strictly based on seniority, an assertion supported at the time by an independent investigator. Jansen disputed those findings, arguing that the investigation was never designed to uncover the truth. She maintained that key witnesses were not interviewed, evidence favorable to her claims was ignored, and multiple allegations in her complaint were left unaddressed. She further alleged that the Sheriff openly demeaned her by attending her after-hours staff meeting and deliberately touching her in front of coworkers. In one incident, he stood over her while she was seated, placed his hand on her shoulder, and winked at her, leaving her feeling embarrassed and degraded by this deliberate display of dominance. Ultimately, to avoid going to trial, the county and the Sheriff reached a settlement with Deputy Jansen for $527,000.
If you are the victim of workplace discrimination, you will need an employment attorney with the expertise to help you win your case. Contact an expert discrimination lawyer at Meyer Employment Law to discuss your legal options so that you can get the compensation you are entitled to. Our legal team will work tirelessly to get the best possible outcome for you.
When does Discrimination in the Workplace Occur?
Employers cannot discriminate against an employee or a group of workers just because that person or group belongs to a protected class under federal, state, or local law. There can be no discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin. It is also illegal to discriminate based on immigration status or pregnancy. Discrimination occurs when someone is denied employment, when an employee is disciplined, when they are terminated or fired, and when an individual is harassed due to their protected characteristics.
Defending Against Discrimination: Legal Options
Discrimination in the workplace is illegal under federal and state law, including race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, and disability. All aspects of the employment process, including termination, are impacted by these regulations.
An employer can be held responsible for violating civil rights legislation intended to safeguard employees by ensuring they are treated equally on the job if an employee can show that their termination, demotion, transfer, reduction in hours, refusal to hire or promotion was the consequence of illegal employment discrimination.
