What to do if you are the victim of employment discrimination
Employment discrimination occurs when an employee is deprived of a term, condition or employment benefit on account of his/her race, national origin, gender, religion or age. Term, condition or employment benefits include: compensation, promotions, health benefits and retirement plans.
Employment discrimination is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the New York State and New York City Human Rights Laws. Employees who have been discriminated against enjoy a wide range of remedies including compensation for lost pay and benefits and money damages for any hardship or suffering incurred as a result of the employer’s discriminatory conduct.
If you believe you have been a victim of employment discrimination you should consult with an attorney who specializes in employment law. This area of the law is complex and it is important to consult with an expert in the field. At the direction of your attorney you should:
- Make contemporaneous logs of the acts of discrimination;
- Gather witnesses;
- Attempt to utilize internal grievance procedures to address the acts of discrimination and;
- File a timely claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.