Skilled Florida Counselor Advocates For Victims Of Unlawful Treatment In The Workplace
The laws of the United States and Florida protect workers against discrimination in hiring, promotion, workplace discipline and termination. If you have been the victim of discriminatory practices by your employer, you may be entitled to monetary compensation and a court order to end or reverse the discriminatory treatment. However, proving discrimination can be very difficult, and your employer will have determined legal representation working hard to disprove your allegations. Fortunately, you can rely on the Law Offices of James Jean-Francois, P.A. to hold your employer accountable when you are the victim of workplace discrimination.
Know The Laws Governing Employment Discrimination
For more than 15 years, I have represented workers who have faced unlawful discrimination in the workplace. In the cases I’ve handled, my clients have been denied their rights under the following laws:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — This landmark federal law prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This law also protects against sexual harassment in the workplace, which the law views as a form of discrimination.
- The Equal Pay Act of 1963 — This federal law mandates that employers pay men and women who perform substantially equal work the same rate.
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 — The ADEA protects workers 40 years of age or older from discrimination based on age.
- Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 — The ADA requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
- The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 — GINA prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of a person’s genetic information, such as whether a person might be predisposed to a certain medical condition due to their family history.
- The Pregnancy Discrimination Act — PDA forbids employers from discriminating against women based on their pregnancy.This includes adverse treatment based on stereotypical assumptions, including that a woman will decide not to return to work after having her baby.
Although the laws are clear, you also need substantial facts to prove discrimination by a preponderance of the evidence. An experienced attorney can help you assemble that evidence to construct a compelling case in your favor. You can file a complaint on your own with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, but without professional legal guidance, your complaint may not get the attention it deserves. You might also face retaliation for filing a discrimination complaint, internally with your company or with the EEOC. Although retaliation is illegal, employers sometimes resort to such tactics to discourage workers from seeking to enforce their rights. Unless you have a strong attorney on your side, your situation can become worse very quickly.
Remedies Available For Employees
Both federal and state laws allow you to sue an employer for discrimination. If your lawsuit is successful, the court can order various remedies, which include:
- Back pay and benefits lost due to wrongful termination or a denied promotion
- Compensatory damages for expenses incurred due to the discrimination
- Compensatory damages for mental anguish, suffering and emotional harm
- Court orders compelling the employer to end the discriminatory practices
- Punitive damages, if the employer’s behavior was particularly egregious
Discrimination cases are not easy to prove. Generally, you must be able to demonstrate a pattern of behavior that reveals a discriminatory intent or a disparate impact on members of a protected class. I will thoroughly investigate your circumstances and the company’s employment practices to assert your rights and deliver the justice you deserve.
Contact My Hollywood Office To Schedule A Free Employment Discrimination Consultation
The Law Offices of James Jean-Francois, P.A. provides employment law representation for older workers who are victims of age discrimination throughout the Hollywood area. To schedule a free consultation, call 954-516-1353 or contact my office online. My Hollywood office is conveniently located at 6100 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 211, between Florida’s Turnpike and South State Road 7.