Fairfax Workplace Discrimination Lawyer

When the average full-time employee in the United States works between 35 and 40 hours a week, the workplace environment can significantly impact an employee’s emotional and physical health. In some cases, employees may suffer from workplace discrimination, which can have devastating consequences on both the individual and the workplace. Many who suffer from workplace discrimination experience anxiety, depression, and other health problems, causing their job performance, career trajectory, and financial situation to suffer.

If you are experiencing workplace discrimination in Fairfax, Virginia, speak with The Spiggle Law Firm about how their workplace discrimination lawyers may recover the compensation and justice you deserve. Our firm has years of experience protecting workers’ rights in Virginia and will continue to use our knowledge and resources to fight for justice. We refuse to let unjust behavior and actions go unpunished and will do everything in our power to offer you the best possible outcome for your claim.

What Is Workplace Discrimination?

The Virginia Human Rights Act (VHRA) prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, or status as a veteran. If an employer treats an employee differently based on their protected status in a way that affects their employment opportunities or status, they may be held accountable for their actions in legal court. 

While many associate workplace discrimination with being employed by a company, it can occur at any stage of the employment process and take many forms. Consider the following stages and how an individual may suffer from workplace discrimination within each area.

Pre-Employment Workplace Discrimination

When an employer engages in discriminatory practices during the hiring process, such as asking inappropriate questions about an applicant’s protected characteristics or using discriminatory criteria in hiring decisions, they engage in pre-employment workplace discrimination. 

There are numerous ways an employer or hiring team may fall under this category, including:

• Asking discriminatory questions during the job interview
• Refusing to hire an applicant because of their protected characteristics
• Using discriminatory job requirements or tests that unfairly screen out applicants based on their protected characteristics
• Requiring job applicants to take a medical exam before a job offer is made

Pre-employment discrimination can have long-term consequences for job seekers, undermining their confidence in the job market and limiting their employment opportunities. If you believe you have been a victim of pre-employment workplace discrimination, immediately contact a Fairfax workplace discrimination lawyer.

Discrimination During Employment

Discrimination during employment occurs when an employer engages in discriminatory practices against an employee based on their protected characteristics. While discrimination during employment can take many forms, the following are a few common examples:

• Sudden changes in employment reviews
• Denying benefits or promotions
• Questions or comments about one’s protected characteristics
• Differential disciplinary actions towards workers of different backgrounds or characteristics
• Unequal pay between coworkers when the job, qualifications, tasks, and titles are the same
• Management personnel or HR refuse to address discriminatory comments, jokes, symbols, or practices in the workplace
• Unjustified increases in workload, tasks, assignments, or duties
• 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
• Tasked with managerial tasks and assignments or taking over a managerial position’s duties without a promotion, pay increase, or title modification

Those suffering from workplace discrimination need to take the necessary steps to address the situation, which may include reporting the discrimination to their employer’s human resources department, filing a complaint with a state or federal agency, or consulting with an experienced Fairfax workplace discrimination attorney. 

If you are unsure whether your case falls under workplace discrimination, speak with The Spiggle Law Firm, and we will provide information on whether we may assist you with your claim. The sooner you speak with our team, the sooner we can offer legal advice and start the process of filing a claim. Virginia law requires residents employed by a company with 15 or more employees to submit a workplace discrimination claim within 300 days of the discriminatory incident. However, there may be exceptions to this depending on your situation, so before you dismiss your claim, contact a Fairfax workplace discrimination attorney to learn about your legal rights and options.

Contact a Compassionate Fairfax Workplace Discrimination Lawyer at The Spiggle Law Firm Today

Federal and state laws protect employees from discrimination throughout every stage of employment. Not only does workplace discrimination affect the individual, but it also spreads like a virus and alters the entire company’s environment, causing many to feel uncomfortable and fearful. Our team at The Spiggle Law Firm has built a solid reputation and community across nine states. We refuse to allow inappropriate and discriminatory behavior to go unpunished and will use our resources and knowledge to provide you the best possible outcome for your claim. By offering our clients a “Same Page Guarantee,” we thoroughly investigate and understand the intricacies of your claim.

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