If you have been denied employment, promotion, or career advancement based on personal reasons then you may be a victim of employment discrimination. It can be difficult determining if your situation has grounds for filing an employment discrimination claim. Here are some of the factors that constitute employment discrimination in Florida.

Factors that Constitute Employment Discrimination in Florida

In the state of Florida individuals cannot be discriminated against in the workforce on the basis of the following:

  • The skin color of the individual
  • Their marital status; whether that is single, widowed, divorced, or married
  • Their sex or gender
  • If the person is pregnant or has given birth
  • Their religious affiliation or lack of religion
  • The age of the individual
  • Whether the person has a handicap or disability

The right of an individual to not be discriminated against in regards to employment for the reasons above is protected by the Florida Civil Human Rights Act. Other laws set in place both federally and on the state level also exist to protect individuals in the workforce.

Acts that Protect Individuals from Discrimination in the Workforce

Violations of any of the laws below also constitute employment discrimination in Florida and give the victim the right to seek legal compensation.

  • The Equal Pay Act of 1963: This law seeks to protect employees from being paid unfairly for their work on the basis of gender. Both women and men must be paid equally from payroll services when performing the same job or type of work under the same employer. This act was put in place to primarily protect women from unfair practices in the workplace where men were paid more for the same work.
  • The Pregnancy Discrimination Act: This act prohibits the unlawful discrimination of a woman due to pregnancy or childbirth. This also ensures that women cannot be discriminated against in the workforce due to medical conditions that are related to childbirth or pregnancy.
  • Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990: This act makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate against a qualified individual based on their handicap or disability. This applies to private employers as well as government employers. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for the employees or applicants. This includes accommodations for both mental and physical limitations. This applies unless the accommodations would impose an undue burden on the employer, which may be determined on a case by case basis.

How an Employment Discrimination Attorney Can Help

If you are unsure of whether or not you have a valid case to file an employment discrimination claim then you should consult with an experienced employment discrimination attorney as soon as possible. Employment laws are constantly changing and evolving. This is why it is so important to consult with an attorney that is up to date with the employment laws that affect you. An attorney’s knowledge and experience can protect you from employment discrimination by identifying the acts that have been violated and filing the employment discrimination claim with the proper agency. An attorney will fight for your employment rights in court.