Workplace discrimination occurs when employers treat employees or job applicants unfavorably based on protected characteristics rather than job performance or qualifications. Federal and state laws prohibit discrimination in hiring, firing, promotions, compensation, and other employment decisions; yet, violations persist, affecting workers across various industries.
If your rights have been violated, call The Galo Law Firm at (210) 764-6135 to schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified San Antonio employment lawyer who can evaluate your situation and protect your interests.
Racial Discrimination
Employers break federal law when employment decisions are based on race, skin color, hair texture, or facial features linked to a particular race. Racial discrimination can involve refusing to hire qualified candidates, unequal pay, denying promotions, or fostering a hostile work environment with racial slurs or stereotypes. Courts address both overt discrimination and subtle practices that unfairly impact certain racial groups.
Parental Status Discrimination
Discrimination against employees based on pregnancy, childbirth, or parental responsibilities violates protections under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and related state laws. Employers cannot refuse to hire pregnant applicants, terminate employees who become pregnant, deny reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions, or treat workers differently because they have children or family obligations. Courts also recognize discrimination against fathers who request parental leave or flexible schedules to care for their children.
Religious Discrimination
Federal law requires employers to accommodate employees’ sincerely held religious beliefs, unless doing so would cause undue hardship. Religious discrimination can include refusing to hire, harassing, denying prayer breaks or religious holidays, or forcing employees to participate in religious activities. Employers must also permit employees to wear religious clothing or observe religious grooming practices unless doing so poses a safety or operational issue.
Age Discrimination
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act protects workers 40 and older from age-based discrimination in the workplace. Discrimination can include refusing to hire qualified older applicants, targeting senior employees for layoffs, overlooking experienced workers for promotions, or making age-related comments. Mandatory retirement based solely on age is generally prohibited, except in limited executive or public safety roles.
Gender Discrimination
Title VII and similar state laws prohibit mistreating employees based on sex. Gender discrimination can include unequal pay, denying promotions due to sex stereotypes, imposing different dress codes without justification, or allowing unaddressed sexual harassment. It also covers discrimination based on gender identity or transgender status.
Disability Discrimination
The Americans with Disabilities Act and similar state laws prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals with physical or mental impairments that substantially limit a major life activity. Disability discrimination occurs when employers refuse to hire disabled applicants, deny accommodation requests without engaging in the interactive process, or terminate employees because of their disabilities rather than performance issues.
Sexual Orientation Discrimination
Employers cannot make adverse employment decisions based on whether workers are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or heterosexual. Sexual orientation discrimination includes refusing to hire qualified LGBTQ+ applicants, creating a hostile work environment through derogatory comments about sexual orientation, or denying benefits to same-sex spouses that heterosexual married couples receive.
Retaliation
Retaliation occurs when employers penalize employees for engaging in protected activities, such as filing complaints, participating in investigations, or reporting illegal conduct. Examples include termination, demotion, pay reductions, schedule changes, or fostering a hostile work environment in response to protected activity. Retaliation is unlawful even if the original complaint is unproven, provided the employee acted in good faith.
Consult a Board-Certified San Antonio Labor & Employment Lawyer
Are you a victim of workplace discrimination? Call The Galo Law Firm at (210) 764-6135 to schedule a consultation today with experienced attorneys who will review your workplace discrimination concerns and explain your legal options for seeking justice.