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Basics Of Employment Discrimination

Every employee in the state of Maryland is guaranteed an equal opportunity in employment. In a perfect world, every company would follow those guidelines. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The good news is that discrimination is illegal so you can file a legal claim against employers who have discriminated against you. Employers may discriminate on the basis of:

  • Age
  • Race or color
  • National origin
  • Gender
  • Sexual orientation (or perceived orientation)
  • Religion, or lack thereof
  • Marital status
  • Pregnancy
  • Disability, including perceived disability or mental illness

Employment discrimination occurs when:

  • Recruitment, interviews, hiring decisions, promotions, dismissals or work conditions are biased.
  • Labor organizations deny qualified candidates’ membership in an apprenticeship program-based class.
  • Employment agencies ask discriminatory questions, circulate unlawful information or discriminate in job referrals.
  • Job ads are discriminatory.

If you feel you were not treated fairly at any point during employment or the hiring process, call Ellison Sadri, LLC.

Patterns Of Discrimination Can Help Prove Your Case

Evidence of discrimination can include an employer’s history of behavior, actions, statements and treatment. You can recover compensation if you can prove the employer has a history of discrimination and had a discriminatory reason for their actions against you. Your case may involve an administrative hearing board or a court of law. No attorney can predict the outcome of a case, but you may want to know that the law allows for various “remedies” for employment discrimination, including:

  • Back pay
  • Hiring (if denied a job initially)
  • A promotion
  • Reinstatement (if wrongfully terminated)
  • Reasonable workplace accommodations for a disabled employee
  • Creation of job conditions that should have been offered
  • Compensation for attorney’s fees and costs
  • Compensatory damages for emotional distress

You are also protected from retaliation. Your employer cannot suspend you or fire you if you reported discrimination or harassment, participated in an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charge or requested accommodations for a disability or pregnancy.

Do Not Let Discrimination Violations Affect Your Future

Discrimination in the workplace does not just affect your current employment. It creates problems moving forward too. Job dismissal carries a stigma and scars your work history. If you experienced employment discrimination in Maryland, you want an experienced lawyer working with you. Call our Annapolis office at 410-974-6000 or email us.