According to New Jersey state law, workplace discrimination is illegal. These laws are enacted to protect workers from unfairly losing income because of discrimination. A person’s career should never be endangered because of someone’s prejudiced view of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or age. Besides protecting you from losing employment, these laws are also in place to ensure that you receive equal job opportunities.
Understanding Workplace Discrimination
New Jersey state law has specified certain protected groups and attributes for which you cannot be discriminated against in the workplace. Under New Jersey workplace discrimination law, some of the common protected traits are as follows:
Race, religion, color
Nationality, national origin, ancestry
Age
Gender (this includes pregnant women)
Marital status, domestic partnership, civil union status
Sexual orientation, gender identity or expression
Mental and physical disability
Why Should You Hire Attorneys for Workplace Discrimination Cases?
Do not hesitate to call your attorney if you believe you have been discriminated against in the workplace. Everyone deserves the right to work without discrimination. Prevent your employer’s prejudices from affecting your career and stop discrimination for future employees by hiring your attorney to see what could be done with this issue.
Common FAQs about Workplace Discrimination
First off, we would have to determine if there is sufficient evidence to suggest workplace discrimination by your employer. We also have to ascertain what protected traits you might have and the adverse employment action that was made against you.
Secondly, a demand letter would be made to your employer. This letter would outline the charges made against them and demands for the issue to be resolved. Once this issue has been resolved, we will work on your behalf to negotiate a settlement.
If unresolved, the subsequent step to take is to file your complaint. Once the complaint has been filed, your employer has up to 35 days to answer your complaint before discovery begins. Discovery can include interviews, documents and depositions that would help aid in the trial. Be prepared for thorough questioning from your attorney and the defense lawyers during the discovery process and resulting in trial.
Types of discrimination include unequal job opportunity, different payment scales, differing privileges and severance packages offered because of a protected trait that one may have.
Under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), it requires you to file the complaint within two years of the qualifying event. We advise you to contact your attorney to discuss your claims as soon as the incident occurs.
Direct and circumstantial evidence can be used in court to defend your claims.
While similar in nature, the NJLAD provides a broader scope of protection offered by the federal government. This has been done by encompassing additional protected traits and forbidding discrimination in more forms.
Choose Carcich O'Shea, LLC for Experienced Employment Law Attorneys
At Carcich O’Shea, LLC, we believe that people deserve justice when it comes to workplace discrimination. With us, you will be getting two of New Jersey’s top attorneys. Mr. Carcich has been selected for Super Lawyers and Ms. O’Shea has been named (201) Magazine’s ”Bergen’s Best Attorneys” for three consecutive years. If you believe you have been discriminated against, do not hesitate to contact us.
If you have more questions about our legal expertise in workplace discrimination, feel free to contact us today. Alternatively, you may call us at 201-988-1308 or send an email to carcichoshea@gmail.com.
