Workplace discrimination lawyers represent employees who have been mistreated, paid unequally or discriminated against because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, age or religion. Fair treatment in the workplace is not a perk or benefit. In a lot of cases, it’s the law. There are legal ramifications to an employer treating his or her employees unfairly because they have differences. If you are feeling mistreated or wondering if your employer is legally acting fairly, here are a few areas you should consider.
Fair Payment For Work
A lot of workplace issues involve employee wages and benefits. Laws regarding minimum wage, equal pay, overtime payment and more regulate how an employer can pay their employees. Employers who do not comply with these laws may be held liable for wage theft. The Department of Labor outlines many of the federal laws governing fair pay concerns. Iowa also has a specific law addressing wages known as the Iowa Wage Payment Collection Act.
Gender Gap
While being treated equally does not always mean being treated the same, it does mean being given the same opportunities with the same intentions. This may look different in specific situations or for specific individuals. However, the general law remains the same: equal pay for equal work. Time and again we see women, doing the same job with the same responsibilities and qualifications as their male counterparts but being paid less. This is illegal and, as workplace discrimination lawyers, we have brought these cases to court and won.
Policies and Outcomes
From hiring to departure, and all the days in between, employers cannot have different rules for different employees based on race, gender, sexual orientation, age or religion. Employers do not have to treat every employee the same and always act fairly towards every employee, but an employer cannot treat an employee different because they are in a “protected class” meaning because of their race, their gender, their age, the sexual orientation or their religion.
Channels to Be Heard
Part of being treated fairly is the opportunity and freedom to speak up when an employee feels uncomfortable, harassed or treated unfairly. Laws that prohibit discrimination also prohibit an employer from retaliating against an employee because they make a complaint about discrimination. This includes making a complaint to the employer, making a complaint to the EEOC or the Iowa Civil Rights Commission or filing a lawsuit.
Harassment
The stories of sexual harassment in the news are shocking for some but for many women across many industries these stories are not news. They are all too aware of the pervasiveness of sexual harassment in the workplace. While sexual harassment is far too common, it is ILLEGAL.
Every employee deserves to be treated fairly by his or her employer. A workplace should be a place of growth and equality. If you have questions or feel that you are being treated unfairly in your workplace, contact a workplace discrimination lawyer today. You can call us at (319) 826-2250 or fill out our contact form.