Employment discrimination is a serious issue that can significantly harm workers. In a diverse state like New Jersey, residents represent many different races, religions, national origins, genders, and sexual orientations. That diversity can sometimes lead to prejudiced attitudes and behaviors in the workplace, resulting in employment discrimination cases.
If you have been discriminated against at work, please know that you are not alone. An employment law attorney can help with your discrimination case in Morristown. Contact the accomplished team at NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC today.
Law Against Discrimination in New Jersey
Another reason for these cases is that New Jersey has strong anti-discrimination laws and protections for employees. For instance, the state’s Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of workers’:
- Race
- Color
- National origin
- Ancestry
- Age
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity and expression
- Disability
- Genetic information
- Marital status
- Military status
These protections provide workers with the right to seek legal remedies in cases of discrimination. Under the LAD, victims can hold employers accountable for inequitable practices. In some cases, employment discrimination claims may arise due to unequal pay, unequal opportunities for promotion, or hostile work environments.
These workplace issues can cause significant harm to employees. If you have experienced any of these unfair behaviors, you may have grounds for a valid employment discrimination claim.
New Jersey has a robust legal system that allows workers to pursue legal action against companies that engage in wrongful practices. This provides a mechanism for victims to seek justice. Successful claimants can recover compensation for the harm they have suffered.
Pursuing a Successful Discrimination Claim in Morristown
If you believe you may have been the victim of discrimination in the state of New Jersey, there is a certain process you can go through. Taking appropriate action will help you determine whether you have a valid claim.
When you’re thinking about filing a Morristown discrimination claim, consider the following elements:
Protected Characteristics
The first step to determining whether you have a valid employment discrimination claim is to consider whether you belong to a protected class. Some protected classes are race, religion, sex, and gender identity.
If none of these identity categories apply to your case, you may not have a valid claim for discrimination. Make sure to consult with an employment law attorney.
Adverse Employment Action
You should also consider whether you have suffered an “adverse employment action.” Typical examples of adverse employment actions are:
- Termination of employment
- Demotion
- Being passed over for a job
- Receiving a pay cut
- Being denied an available promotion
If you have suffered harassment or a hostile work environment, this may qualify as an adverse employment action. A legal professional at NJ Employment Lawyers can help you determine the validity of your claim.
Causal Link
To make a strong claim for damages, you must establish a causal link between your protected status and the employer’s adverse action. In other words, you need to be able to show that your status was a factor in the employer’s decision to act against you.
This causal connection can be difficult to prove. You may need to rely on circumstantial evidence to show that discrimination occurred.
Employer Knowledge
You must also consider whether the employer knew or should have known about the discrimination. If your supervisor or employer was unaware of the discriminatory nature of their action, they might not be liable for it.
But suppose that you made complaints to management or human resources about the discrimination, and they failed to take responsive action. In cases like this, your claim may be strengthened.
Timing
The timing of the adverse employment action is also critical in these legal cases. If the action happened soon after you engaged in protected activity, this might suggest that the adverse action was related.
Examples of protected activities for employees include filing a discrimination complaint or taking medical leave. This may give rise to a separate claim for retaliation.
Pretext
Lastly, it is vital to consider whether the employer’s stated reason for the adverse action was pretextual. In such cases, the employer’s specified reason is not the true motivation for the action.
If a plaintiff can show that the company’s stated rationale is pretextual, this can help. It is critical to speak with a knowledgeable employment law attorney if you believe you are the victim of discrimination.
Contact a Skilled Employment Lawyer in Morristown
If you believe you have a valid claim for employment discrimination, it is essential that you take the right steps to pursue it. Consulting with an attorney specializing in employment law can help you do just that.
To speak with a premier legal specialist in Morristown, New Jersey, contact the team at NJ Employment Lawyers as soon as possible. Our firm will happily provide a free consultation to explore your legal options.