Have you experienced discrimination in the workplace because of your gender identity or sexual orientation? An experienced LGBTQ discrimination lawyer can fight to protect your rights. Contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates in Harrisburg, PA, for immediate assistance today.
Our lawyers have decades of combined experience handling employment law matters. We would be proud to help you fight for justice.
You may be entitled to financial compensation and other types of damages. Call our law offices in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at (717) 231-1640, to learn more about your legal rights and options.
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How Can Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help With an LGBTQ Discrimination Claim in Harrisburg
Employment discrimination cases can be challenging. These aren’t battles that you should have to fight. Unfortunately, fighting for your rights is often the only way to obtain equal treatment in the workplace. In the end, a positive outcome can vastly improve your quality of life.
You don’t have to handle these challenges alone. At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our lawyers have over 120 years of experience between us–and we’ve been recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers of America. We know that you might be worried about your financial security, physical safety, and emotional wellbeing after suffering discrimination.
Our experienced Harrisburg employment discrimination attorneys are here to help every step of the way. When you hire us, our lawyers will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation
- Help you understand the state and federal laws that apply in your case
- Assess the damages you’ve suffered because of the discrimination
- Gather proof to support your claim
- Handle the paperwork and administrative issues that arise in your case
- Represent you in mediation or in court if necessary
Do you have questions about LGBTQ discrimination and your rights in Pennsylvania? Call our Harrisburg employment lawyers today. We’ll do everything possible to get you the answers you deserve.
Overview of Employment Discrimination Laws in Pennsylvania
State and federal laws provide strong protections against discrimination in the workplace. In the past, it was unclear whether Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protected LGBTQ employees. However, according to a 2020 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, the Title VII anti-discrimination law does protect LGBTQ employees.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. Lawmakers in Pennsylvania have yet to specifically announce that the prohibition on sex discrimination applies to the LGBTQ community.
However, many local governments have announced that “sex” will be interpreted to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The Pennsylvania Equality Act has also been introduced. If passed, it would provide a comprehensive state-level anti-discrimination law that encompasses LGBTQ people.
We Handle All Types of LGBTQ Discrimination Claims in Harrisburg, PA
Discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment and housing isn’t always obvious. In fact, employers, supervisors, and even co-workers are often subtle when it comes to discriminating against members of the LGBTQ community.
Some examples of the challenges that LGBTQ employees may face in the workplace include:
- Sexual harassment
- Hostile work environment
- Verbal harassment
- Retaliation for reporting LGBTQ discrimination in the past
- Lack of access to safe bathrooms
- Disparate treatment when it comes to health benefits and other employment benefits
- Gender discrimination
- Workplace discrimination issues related to same-sex marriages
Over time, the impact on your life can be dramatic. You may be unfairly denied a promotion because of your sexual orientation. Supervisors may deny your overtime because of your gender identity. You might even find that your complaints to HR are ignored.
In some cases, you may start to question whether the discrimination is really happening. Speaking with an experienced LGBTQ discrimination lawyer can be helpful. Our lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates are available to discuss your case for free. To learn more about how we can help, call our law firm to schedule your free case evaluation today.
Long-Term Consequences for Victims of LGBTQ Discrimination
You work hard for a living. You deserve all of the benefits and recognition given to similarly-situated heterosexual employees. Even subtle discrimination can be incredibly demoralizing and, over the long-term, damaging to your career.
Some examples of the consequences you may suffer include:
- Being denied promotions and pay raises
- Receiving unequal pay for the same work as others
- Being passed over for managerial or supervisory duties
- Being denied health insurance or other employment benefits
- Paying more for the same benefits
- Receiving negative performance reviews
- Negative references when you leave the job
- Decreased job satisfaction or sense of fulfillment
Some types of discrimination keep lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from obtaining the experience they need to progress into higher levels of employment.
Of course, victims of LGBTQ discrimination often suffer severe psychological and emotional losses. It’s not uncommon to feel deeply depressed. Some victims of employment discrimination become extremely anxious about even entering the workplace on a daily basis.
You shouldn’t have to accept those consequences. At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, we’re passionate about helping our clients fight for justice. We’ll do everything we can to help stop the discrimination and obtain fair compensation for losses that you’ve already suffered.
How Do I Know Whether I Have a Valid LGBTQ Discrimination Claim in Pennsylvania?
State and federal nondiscrimination laws apply to protect members of protected groups. To take legal action, you have to establish that you fall into one of those categories. LGBT people are members of a protected class.
It’s not always easy to know whether you have an actionable case, however. Generally, there are two different types of discrimination: disparate treatment discrimination and disparate impact discrimination.
To establish liability for either, you’ll generally have to prove:
- You were a member of a protected class (the LGBTQ community)
- Your employer knew you were a member of the LGBTQ community
- You suffered some type of harm
- Other similarly situated employees who were not in a protected class weren’t harmed
Regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, you deserve to be treated with respect and dignity in the workplace. Our lawyers can help you fight to make that happen. Just give us a call today to learn more.
Disparate Treatment Discrimination
Disparate treatment discrimination occurs when you’re treated differently because of your sexual orientation or gender identity. This type of discrimination is intentional. It’s also illegal.
For example, suppose you were subject to a test that did not apply to heterosexual workers in the same job class. In that case, you may have an actionable case for disparate treatment discrimination.
If you’ve been subject to a different set of policies than your peers, you don’t have to take it. Call our lawyers for a free case review and learn more about how we can stand up for you.
Disparate Impact Discrimination
Disparate impact discrimination is unintentional. That doesn’t make it any less harmful. This type of discrimination occurs when everyone is subject to the same policies, but those policies impact you differently because of your LGBTQ status.
Disparate impact discrimination can be more difficult to prove, but that shouldn’t stop you from taking action. Our employment discrimination attorneys at Marzzacco Niven & Associates have decades of experience standing up for clients like you. We would be happy to help fight for your rights under state and federal anti-discrimination laws.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of LGTBQ Discrimination in Pennsylvania?
Workplace discrimination can cause significant damage. Many victims suffer both emotionally (non-economic damages) and financially (economic damages). In extreme cases, your physical safety may even be threatened. By taking legal action, we’ll fight to obtain remedies for some of that damage.
Examples of the damages that you may receive include:
- Back pay and benefits
- Job search costs
- Money for medical bills or counseling
- Reinstatement or promotion
- Attorneys’ fees and costs
- Compensation for emotional distress or pain and suffering
- Punitive damages to punish especially shocking actions
We can also take action to require your employer to change workplace policies to avoid disparate impact discrimination.
In the end, we’ll carefully evaluate the unique facts of your case. Once we understand the circumstances, we’ll fight to hold your employer accountable and recover the maximum compensation you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to File an LGBTQ Discrimination Claim in Pennsylvania?
You won’t have an unlimited amount of time to take legal action if you’ve been discriminated against. Frankly, you shouldn’t have to wait. However, you’re required to file a claim with the EEOC within 180 days after the discrimination occurred. The same 180-day period applies to discrimination claims under Pennsylvania state laws.
You may have been subjected to pervasive discrimination for weeks, months, or even years. Title VII protections were only recently extended to LGBTQ workers. To learn more about your rights and options, call today. We’ll evaluate your claim and discuss the best course of action.
Contact an LGBTQ Discrimination Lawyer for a Free Consultation
LGBTQ discrimination is a serious workplace issue. It’s not something that you should be forced to endure. At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our lawyers are committed to fighting for your right to a safe and respectful workplace. To learn more about how we can help, call for a free consultation with the best personal injury lawyer in Harrisburg today.
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