Protection From Workplace Discrimination Varies From State to State

A recent poll performed by the job search company Monster evaluated how well each state in the country does in protecting workers’ rights.  The poll took into account 5 key areas of federal workplace protections.  These included: 1) Discrimination based on gender identity as provided by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), 2) Discrimination based on sexual orientation provided by Title VII; 3) Wage and salary transparency pursuant to the Equal Pay Act, and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act of 2009, 4) The provision of reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers and, 5) The provision of family and medical leave pursuant to the FMLA.

Based on the poll, Georgia scored as “0”, as did 12 other states.  The poll also looked at inappropriate questions asked during the job search, even innocent-seeming ones which may reveal a biased motivation – such as “do you have kids?” or “when did you graduate from college?”.  The entire poll can be review here: Discrimination Poll.

While federal law mandates these workplace protections, employers don’t always comply.  As a result, one of the best ways to help eliminate workplace discrimination is to fight it when you see it – whether coming forward to support a co-worker’s claim of workplace harassment or discrimination or complaining about your own inappropriate or discriminatory treatment.  The law protects you from retaliation for speaking up about another’s discrimination or your own.

For more information, or if you believe that you have faced workplace discrimination, please contact the experienced Georgia discrimination lawyers at Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP for an immediate case evaluation.