Arlington Workplace Discrimination Lawyer

In the United States, the average amount of time someone works as a full-time employee is between 35 and 40 hours a week. Since we spend most of our time at work, our relationships with coworkers and managers are essential for a healthy work environment. Unfortunately, harassment and discrimination in the workplace are not uncommon. Workplace discrimination occurs when an employee or job applicant is mistreated because of their race, gender, age, religion, disability, or other protected characteristics. 

Those experiencing workplace discrimination may feel overwhelmed and anxious about seeking legal assistance. However, the physical, mental, and financial damages you incur because of someone’s inappropriate behavior are severe. You have every right to seek help from an experienced Arlington workplace discrimination attorney. The Spiggle Law Firm has years of experience protecting Arlington clients from unjust behavior and actions. Our compassionate team understands your challenges and will stay by your side every step of the way. 

What Is Workplace Discrimination?

While workplace discrimination can occur against individuals based on their protected class, such as race, disability, or gender, it is also important to recognize that discrimination can result from other factors, including an individual’s national origin, marital status, or political affiliation. If you are unsure whether your case falls under a protected characteristic, ask your lawyer whether your case qualifies under workplace discrimination.

If you’re dealing with discrimination in the workplace, you may wonder if the person or persons’ actions can be considered discriminatory and unlawful. It’s important to note that workplace discrimination can take many forms. For some, discrimination occurs before they start with the company and during pre-employment.

Pre-Employment Workplace Discrimination

Pre-employment workplace discrimination refers to any discriminatory behavior that occurs during the hiring process and before the individual begins working with the company. This can take many forms, such as discriminatory job postings, biased interview questions, or discriminatory pre-employment tests. 

Suppose an interviewer asks inappropriate or irrelevant questions about an applicant’s personal life, such as their marital status or whether they plan to have children. They infringe on the applicant’s opportunity based on protected characteristics and can be held accountable for their behavior. Another discriminatory pre-employment test may include assessments that are biased against certain groups.

It is essential to note that pre-employment discrimination is illegal under federal and state anti-discrimination laws. In Virginia, employers are prohibited from discriminating against job applicants and can be held accountable for their inappropriate behavior with the assistance of an Arlington workplace discrimination lawyer.

Discrimination During Employment

In most workplace discrimination cases, the behavior and actions occur while the individual is working with the company. However, it may still be difficult to prove discrimination during employment. Some forms of discrimination during employment include:

• Management personnel or HR refuse to address discriminatory comments, jokes, symbols, or practices in the workplace
• Unjustified increases in workload, tasks, assignments, or duties
• Sudden changes in employment reviews
• Denying benefits or promotions
• Comments about or making fun of one’s accent
• Questions or comments about one’s sexual orientation
• Differential disciplinary actions towards workers of different backgrounds or characteristics
• Unequal pay between coworkers when the job, qualifications, tasks, and titles are the same
• Tasked with managerial tasks and assignments or taking over a managerial position’s duties, without a promotion, pay increase, or title modification
• Receiving harsher punishment as a person within a protected class when compared to someone who is not in the protected class for the same or similar action

Those suffering from workplace discrimination often face mental health issues, loss of productivity and motivation, and severe anxiety and depression. Many fear the potential repercussions or retaliation from the company if they report discriminatory behavior. However, it is essential to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. An understanding and compassionate lawyer will have the resources and knowledge to guide you through the legal process. 

In Virginia, residents have 300 days from the discriminatory incident to file a claim against an employer with 15 or more employees. However, even if you do not fall under this category or miss the deadline, contact a lawyer to learn about your legal rights and options.

Find an Experienced Arlington Workplace Discrimination Lawyer at The Spiggle Law Firm

Since 2009, our team at The Spiggle Law Firm has built a solid reputation and community across nine different states. We treat clients with compassion, understanding, and personalized services to ensure they have the best possible representation for their claims. Going up against your company or manager is frightening without an experienced lawyer by your side. With one of our professional lawyers, you will have someone acting on your behalf every step of the way. By thoroughly investigating your claim, collecting evidence, and also offering you our “Same Page Guarantee,” you will have all the information you need for a smooth legal process. 

Call (202) 449-8527 or complete our contact form on our website to speak with one of our Arlington workplace discrimination attorneys today.