Employees are entitled to fair treatment and respect at work. When employers violate your rights by engaging in unlawful discriminatory practices, victims may have legal recourse under state and federal law.
If you’ve experienced discrimination in the workplace in Carlisle, PA, the experienced attorneys at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help. Our legal team has over 120 years of combined experience in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and employment law. We’ll use our extensive skills and resources to fight for your rights.
Contact our experienced Carlisle employment discrimination lawyers for a free initial consultation to discuss your potential options. We can be reached by calling (717) 995-8732 or completing an online form.
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How Can Marzzacco Niven & Associates Help With an Employment Discrimination Claim in Carlisle, PA?
Struggling with discrimination on the job shouldn’t be tolerated under any circumstances. Unfortunately, it occurs far more often than it should – and it’s not always easy to prove.
Working with an experienced Carlisle employment attorney is likely your best option for recovering the outcome you deserve. Marzzacco Niven & Associates will stand up for you and ensure that you’re treated fairly throughout the process.
If you hire our employment discrimination lawyers in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, you can expect us to:
- Discuss your treatment at work to determine the potential remedies under state or federal employment law
- Collect evidence proving that the discrimination occurred
- Handle administrative filings and communications
- Protect you if your employer retaliates or harasses you for filing a complaint
- Represent you in all administrative hearings and court proceedings
Contact our Carlisle law office to learn more about creating an attorney-client relationship after suffering discrimination in the workplace.
Employment Discrimination Laws That May Apply To Your Case
Discrimination can occur at any time, including during the hiring process, in the course of employment, or upon termination.
Unlawful employment practices based on discriminatory purposes might include:
- Biased recruitment strategies
- Refusing to hire
- Demotions or termination of employment
- Offering different compensation and benefits
- Segregating or classifying employees
- Limiting job opportunities, training, or promotions
- Applying different levels of disciplinary action
- Denying job opportunities because an individual is associated with a protected class (e.g., by marriage)
- Intentional harassment
State and federal laws are in place to protect employees who are members of a protected class against discrimination. These laws aim to prevent discriminatory practices and promote employment based on a worker’s ability and experience.
Below we briefly discuss some of those laws.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate against job applicants or employees based on their national origin, color, race, sex, or religion.
The law prohibits both intentional discrimination and practices that seem impartial but have a discriminatory effect on a protected class. It also protects employees who have complained about discrimination from retaliation.
Title VII applies to employers with 15 or more employees and is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
The Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA)
The Equal Pay Act of 1963, also enforced by the EEOC, was enacted to prevent wage discrimination based on sex. The goal is to provide equal pay to men and women who perform substantially equal work in the same workplace.
The law looks to the responsibilities, skills, and effort performed by men and women in the same establishment to determine if one sex is paid more than the other for similar work.
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA)
The EEOC enforces the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, which makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate against job applicants and employees aged 40 and over.
Under this law, employers with 20 or more employees cannot engage in practices that deprive an individual of job opportunities based on their age. However, it only protects people who are at least 40 years old.
The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
The EEOC enforces the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, which is intended to provide equal opportunities for people with disabilities. Like Title VII, the ADA applies to employers with 15 or more employees.
The law prevents employers from discriminating against qualified individuals who apply to or are employed by their company on the basis of a disability. A “qualified individual” is one who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
The law may also require some employers to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship.
Similar to the ADA, Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits certain federal employers from discriminating against people with disabilities.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA)
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act makes it unlawful for employers within the Commonwealth to discriminate based on:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Ancestry
- Age
- National origin
- Sex
- Disability or handicap
- The use of a support animal due to deafness, blindness, or physical impairment
The Act is enforced by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) and applies to employers with four or more employees.
We Can Help With Any Type of Employment Discrimination Claim in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
The Carlisle employment lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help no matter what type of discrimination you’ve experienced at work, including but not limited to:
- Racial discrimination
- Color discrimination
- Discrimination based on national origin
- Age discrimination
- Disability discrimination
- Sex discrimination
- Sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination
- Pregnancy discrimination
- Discrimination based on religious beliefs
- Wage discrimination (violations of the Equal Pay Act)
- Unfair employment practices due to discrimination
- Workplace harassment that creates a hostile work environment
- Sexual harassment
- Improper or unlawful questions regarding your background or medical history
- Denial of reasonable accommodations for a disability or religious observances
- Employer retaliation because you reported discrimination
- Disparate impact discrimination
- Disparate treatment discrimination
Contact us today if you think you have a workplace discrimination claim. We’ll discuss the conduct and determine whether your rights have been violated.
What Compensation Is Available To Victims of Employment Discrimination in Carlisle, PA?
In an employment discrimination case, the goal is to make the victim whole again. In other words, the damages awarded are intended to put them in the same position they would’ve been in had the discriminatory practices not occurred.
Accordingly, the remedies will vary depending on the specific actions taken and their effects on the person who was discriminated against. Additionally, it will depend on whether you file a state or federal complaint.
The potential damages or relief in a Carlisle employment discrimination action may include:
- Back pay and job benefits
- Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses due to the job discrimination, including travel expenses and costs associated with job searching
- Reinstatement
- Retroactive seniority
- Attorney’s fees and litigation expenses
- Court costs
- Non-economic damages, including inconvenience and mental anguish
- Punitive damages under federal law
Our employment discrimination attorneys in Carlisle will identify and pursue the full extent of your losses.
How Do I File a Discrimination Complaint Against My Employer?
It’s essential to seek legal advice from an experienced Carlisle employment discrimination attorney before taking action. You want to ensure that you follow the proper procedures and file your complaint with the appropriate administrative agency.
Different standards, protections, and types of relief will apply based on whether you file a federal or state claim. Whether you file the complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission will depend on the specific facts of your case.
For example, if your company has between four and 14 employees, you might file your claim with the PHRC since the EEOC usually only covers employers with 15 or more employees.
The filing process will depend on whether you file your complaint with the EEOC or the PHRC. If the discrimination is covered by state and federal law, your complaint might be dual-filed with both agencies.
EEOC Charges of Discrimination
To start a claim with the EEOC, you must submit an inquiry online through the EEOC Public Portal. A representative will interview you to learn more about your experiences and determine if filing a formal complaint is the right path.
You can file a complaint – called a “Charge of Discrimination” – requesting the Commission to take action. You’re required to do this before you can file a lawsuit against your employer.
PHRC Discrimination Complaints
You can file a complaint with the PHRC by calling, visiting a local field office to discuss your legal issues, or submitting an online questionnaire.
How Long Do I Have To File an Employment Discrimination Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
You don’t have a lot of time to take legal action if you’ve experienced employment discrimination. Most EEOC charges must be filed within 180 days of the date the discrimination occurred. If Pennsylvania law also applies to your situation, the deadline may be extended to 300 days.
You must typically file a complaint with the PHRC within 180 days of the discriminatory incident.
The employment discrimination complaint process can be complicated. Our employment lawyers in Carlisle are here to help.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation With Our Carlisle Employment Discrimination Lawyers
Are you the victim of job-related discrimination in Carlisle, PA? Contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates for immediate assistance. Our Carlisle employment discrimination attorneys are available 24/7 to listen to your story and offer compassionate, honest legal advice. Call our law firm today for a free consultation.