What is an Oregon discrimination attorney and do I need one?
Are you being treated differently at work? Are the circumstances of your treatment so unusual, shocking, unjust, or severe as to suggest discrimination? Are there noticeably few employees of your race, gender, or other classification at your workplace? Have you noticed that other employees like you seem to be singled out for worse treatment or put in lower ranking positions?
Federal and Oregon laws protect you from being discriminated against at work. That means you can’t be fired or demoted, paid less, or otherwise treated differently because you belong to a protected class.
In Oregon, most employer-employee relationships are “at will”. This means that the employer is free to hire, discipline, or fire any employee at any time for any reason—unless that reason is contrary to an agreement, or is unlawful under state, federal or local law, or contrary to public policy.
Question? Read more below or contact an Oregon discrimination attorney here.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the federal agency responsible for protecting specific classes of people from employment discrimination and investigating charges of job discrimination the workplace.
The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) Civil Rights Division is the Oregon State agency charged with investigating complaints of harassment and/or discrimination in the workplace.
Employment discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or job applicant unfavorably because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. This unfair treatment can manifest in various ways throughout the employment relationship, from hiring and firing decisions to daily workplace interactions and advancement opportunities.
Here are few signs that you may be grappling with workplace discrimination:
A lack of variety in your workplace
It is possible that you will discover this just when coming into the workplace. Where there is a shortage of diversity, discrimination is not necessarily present, but it may be an indication. It is possible that the population is just straight, white males of the same age and income class. If you do not fall into that demographic, you may find yourself in a situation where you are discriminated against.
Bias Against Women
Are any of the highest slots reserved for males while women are denied access to them? It may be an indication of gender discrimination.
Promotional Challenges
Bias could fuel decisions to promote individuals who are less eligible than you. If you are being skipped over repeatedly, consider whether the motivation is rooted in prejudice.
How Can You Communicate with Your Co-workers?
It is crucial how people communicate with you. No one wants to be treated unfairly, and one of the most common ways people discriminate is through communication. What matters is not only what they mean, nor how they say it. It is particularly valid if jokes about your ethnicity, sex, sexuality, sexual identity, or age are made.
What Kind of Work Do You Get?
If the workload is shifting in a manner that adversely impacts you, you will be discriminated against. It may be a warning that you have accounts stripped away from you, allowing you to lose money. When you are offered a mountain of work that you cannot really do, it is likely that your employer is preparing to fire you. Any of this is a kind of prejudice.
Disparate Disciplinary Actions
Pay attention if you notice that employees from certain protected classes receive harsher disciplinary actions for similar infractions compared to others. This pattern of unequal treatment in discipline and corrective measures can be a strong indicator of discriminatory practices.
Exclusion from Professional Development
Being consistently excluded from training opportunities, professional development programs, or important meetings that could advance your career may signal discrimination, especially if this pattern affects employees of a particular protected class.
Hostile Work Environment
A workplace where discriminatory comments, slurs, offensive jokes, or intimidating behavior creates an atmosphere that interferes with your ability to perform your job effectively constitutes a hostile work environment, which is illegal under both federal and Oregon state law.
The majority of these forms of prejudice are illegal under federal and state labor legislation. However, some of them are only covered under state statutes in Oregon, such as bigotry based on sexual identity, marital status, or status as a survivor of domestic abuse.
Furthermore, the state of Oregon occasionally extends additional protection against workplace discrimination. Although federal law forbids discrimination against people over the age of 40, Oregon prohibits discrimination against people under 18.
Furthermore, federal anti-discrimination regulations generally refer to companies with a certain minimum number of workers (ranging from 4 to 20 based on the law), while Oregon’s state anti-discrimination laws apply to any company with one or more employees.
Both the federal government and the state of Oregon provide department structures in place that assist in the enforcement of federal and state anti-discrimination legislation. The Equal Work Opportunity Commission of the federal government and the Civil Rights Division of the Bureau of Labor and Industries of Oregon also hear and prosecute cases of employment discrimination.
Under federal law, employees are protected from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 or older), and disability. Oregon state law provides even broader protections, including additional categories such as sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, family relationship, and status as a domestic violence survivor.
If you believe you’re experiencing workplace discrimination, it’s important to take action promptly:
Document Everything: Keep detailed records of discriminatory incidents, including dates, times, witnesses, and the nature of the discrimination. Save emails, messages, and any other relevant communications.
Report Internally: Many employers have internal complaint procedures. Check your employee handbook and consider reporting the discrimination to HR or management, unless they are involved in the discriminatory conduct.
File a Complaint: You can file a complaint with the EEOC or BOLI, depending on the nature of your case. There are strict time limits for filing these complaints, so don’t delay.
Seek Legal Counsel: It is important to have experienced counsel to guide you on the correct steps when investigating or fighting against a workplace discrimination lawsuit inside these departments — or in court. In a workplace discrimination case, our lawyers have both the expertise and the commitment to support or defend your interests.
Employment discrimination cases can be complex, involving intricate federal and state laws, procedural requirements, and evidence gathering. An experienced employment discrimination attorney can help you navigate these challenges, protect your rights, and maximize your chances of a successful outcome. They can assist with filing complaints, negotiating settlements, and representing you in court if necessary.
5 Types of Discrimination in the Workplace
Explore the five common forms of discrimination encountered in the workplace. From gender, age, disability, and more. 2 min read.
Discrimination Lawyers in Portland Oregon
Meyer Employment Law represents employees in discrimination throughout the state. Our attorneys may be able to assist you with employment discrimination claims in Oregon, including the following:
Beyond discrimination claims, our firm provides comprehensive employment law services to address all aspects of workplace legal issues. Whether you’re dealing with wrongful termination, wage and hour disputes, harassment, or contract violations, our experienced attorneys are equipped to handle the full spectrum of employment-related legal matters.
If you successfully prove discrimination, various remedies may be available, including:
The specific remedies available depend on the type of discrimination, the applicable laws, and the circumstances of your case.
Have you experienced discrimination in your workplace? Do you have questions about discrimination? Allow an Oregon discrimination attorney to help. Contact us at Meyer.
Sexual harassment in the workplace doesn’t always look like what you see on TV. It isn’t always obvious, and it doesn’t have to involve physical contact to be damaging. From persistent comments to retaliation after reporting misconduct, harassment can take many forms and if you’re experiencing it, you’re not alone. Whether you’re just beginning to
Copyright Meyer Employment Law Portland, Oregon – Marketing Agency SpearPoint Marketing LLC
