Employment Lawyer

Although all employees deserve to go to a workplace where they feel safe and respected, workplace discrimination still exists to this day. Workers can be discriminated against for their race, nationality, religion, disability, gender and age. Discrimination in the workplace is also commonly misunderstood. 

Here are some of the most common myths about workplace discrimination.

An Employer Must Have a Good Reason to Fire Someone

This isn’t true. Since Illinois is an at-will state, your employer can fire you for any reason and doesn’t have to give you any notice. However, if you have reason to believe that you were fired due to disability, race, age, gender or national origin, you may have been wrongfully terminated. You may want to speak to an employment lawyer about pursuing a lawsuit against your former employer.

An Employer Can Ask a Job Applicant About Disabilities

It’s actually illegal for an employer to ask a job applicant about disabilities, as it goes against the Americans with Disabilities Act. Employers are prohibited to ask applicants questions about their prior work injuries, mental health conditions or the types of medications they take. However, if an employer has offered an applicant a position, they can inquire about disabilities so that they can properly accommodate them.

Discrimination Occurs Only in the Worst Companies

Some people assume that discrimination can only happen in hostile workplaces. However, discrimination can occur in just about any workplace, even positive ones with very nice employees. A supervisor or coworker can even unintentionally discriminate against you, and it’s not something you should ignore.

Discrimination Laws Are Only Put in Place for Women and Minorities

Women and minorities aren’t the only ones who can get discriminated against at work. That’s why workplace discrimination laws also protect employees for their gender, disabilities, age, nationality and religion. If you have been discriminated against at work, you have the right to pursue a complaint.

Employees Don’t Have Much Power If They Have Experienced Discrimination

Unfortunately, some employers don’t believe they have any power when it comes to discrimination, so they never file a complaint. The truth is that you do have power. Being discriminated against for your race, age, religion, disability, national origin or gender is illegal and shouldn’t be tolerated. If you have been discriminated against at work, you should first inform your human resources department. If they don’t take action, you should speak to a lawyer.

If you have experienced discrimination at work, contact an employment lawyer Chicago, IL residents entrust to provide an exceptional quality of legal representation and advice, like one from Disparti Law Group.