Employees of workplaces in Virginia experience discrimination in many forms. The state prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, sex, national origin, color creed, and disability. Therefore, you can consult a Discrimination attorney virginia if you think you are discriminated against at the workplace on any grounds.
Discrimination at workplaces not only affects the way employees are treated and their opportunities to fulfill their duties, but it also has an impact on their security and safety. It is, therefore, important that employers strive to eliminate discrimination in the workplace, and to make sure that the employees are provided a safe working environment, free from any kind of discrimination.
Let us now see the most common types of discrimination reported in Virginia.
- Race discrimination
Virginia’s legislation prohibits discrimination against employees based on race. However, racial discrimination is still prevalent at many workplaces in Virginia, and is one of the main reasons for workplace discrimination claims filed with the EEOC. This can be attributed to the large number of diverse cultures and races in Virginia.
- Sex discrimination
This type of discrimination is based on an employee’s sex. And it includes sexual harassment, which is one of the most widely reported types of workplace discrimination in Virginia. Sex discrimination can be direct or indirect, and it is usually related to an employee’s gender, sexual orientation, and marital status. Another example of sexual discrimination in the workplace is denial or restriction from taking maternity leave or even promotion opportunities because of your gender.
- Pregnancy discrimination
Workplaces in Virginia are protected from pregnancy discrimination and employers must treat pregnant employees the same way they treat other employees. An employer should not fire a pregnant employee or create a hostile environment for a pregnant employee.
- Age discrimination
Employees in Virginia are protected from discrimination based on their age. This can also extend to retirement age or retirement eligibility, and employers should provide the same benefits and privileges to older employees as they do to younger ones.
- Disability discrimination
Employers in Virginia are prohibited from discriminating against an employee based on his or her disability. Disability discrimination comprises all forms of discrimination against those who suffer from a physical or mental impairment, whether the impairment is visible or not.
- National origin discrimination
Due diligence should be taken in hiring foreign workers, so that the place of employment remains a secure workplace for all employees. They should not be subject to any discrimination regarding their race, religion, national origin, ancestry, or gender.
