As an employee, it is important to understand that you have rights. One of the most important rights you have is to work in a discrimination-free workplace. Unfortunately, employees all over the country find themselves facing various forms of discrimination on the part of their employers, supervisors, or co-workers. Please continue reading and reach out to a seasoned Midlothian employment lawyer from Passero Employment Law to learn more about your employer’s duty to provide a discrimination-free work environment and how the firm can help if you believe your rights have been violated. Here are some of the questions you may have:
Are employers required to create a discrimination-free work environment?
In short, the answer is yes. Employers are legally obligated to abide by terms set forth in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Virginia Human Rights Act. Essentially, both these federal and state laws prohibit discrimination of any kind based on the color of a person’s skin or race, gender, disability, age, and more. When employers fail to abide by these laws and fire, demote, refuse to promote, or otherwise take adverse action against employees due to any of these protected characteristics, employees should strongly consider filing a discrimination claim against them.
What actions can employers take to prevent discrimination in the workplace?
Importantly, there are several things employers can do to prevent acts of discrimination in the workplace from occurring altogether. Being proactive is the best way to ensure employees are treated fairly. Some of the steps employers can take to prevent workplace discrimination include, but are not limited to:
- Outlining and implementing a clear non-discrimination policy, and communicating to all employees that any discrimination or harassment of any kind is strictly prohibited.
- Provide diversity and inclusion training to employees before hiring them.
- Have procedures in place to handle claims of discrimination, should they arise, and investigate such claims swiftly.
Though these are all good policies to have in place, the unfortunate reality is that they are only policies, and employers or employees will sometimes disregard them and discriminate against others anyway.
If you believe you have been discriminated against in the workplace, you should strongly consider hiring a lawyer who can help you file a discrimination claim and fight for the justice you deserve. Passero Employment Law has been a staunch advocate for victims of workplace discrimination in Virginia, and the firm is here to represent you as well. Contact us today so we can get started working on your claim.
