Discrimination Lawyers in Bellevue: Fighting for Your Rights
At Rekhi & Wolk, we have over 50 years of combined experience as discrimination lawyers in Bellevue, WA. If you’ve been discriminated against in the workplace because of your race, creed, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, or veteran/military status, we can help.
We may be able to help if:
- You were denied hiring or promotion from a discriminatory employer
- You experienced harassment from other employees or your employer
- You were wrongfully terminated
We’ll fight for you to pursue the justice you deserve. Our discrimination lawyers have represented hundreds of employees who have faced workplace discrimination, and we can help you too. The discrimination lawyers Rekhi & Wolk in Bellevue, WA, co-authored the chapter on Race Discrimination used by other attorneys as a reference for Washington law.
If your employer has discriminated against you due to your status as a legally protected group, contact our discrimination lawyers in Bellevue, WA, today.
What Are “Protected Classes” in Employment Discrimination Law?
Those applying, currently employed, and previously employed by a company are protected from discrimination. These legally protected groups are:
- Race
- Color
- Creed
- Religious Affiliation
- Sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity)
- National Origin (including citizenship)
- Disability
- Age (if over the age of 40)
- Genetic Information (including family medical history)
- Veteran Status
- Pregnancy
Employers are prohibited from firing, denying employment, or denying promotions due to your protected status.
What Are the Most Common Types of Employment Discrimination?
Discrimination Due to Race/Nationality
According to Washington Law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Section 1981, it is illegal for employers to fire you based on your race or nationality. If you’ve faced discrimination or harassment from your employer due to your race or nationality, our discrimination lawyers in Bellevue, WA, can help you pursue justice.
Age Discrimination
If you are over the age of 40, Washington Law and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 protect you from discrimination in the workplace by employers. Employers are prohibited from not hiring or promoting an employee due to their age.
In addition, employers may not prohibit you from engaging in an activity that may deprive “an individual of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect his status as an employee.”
Sex & Gender Discrimination
According to the Washington Law Against Discrimination and Title VII, employees are protected from being discriminated against due to their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity (including transgender status). These laws also prohibit employers from hiring, firing, promoting, compensating, training, or denying fringe benefits due to your sex or gender.
Failure to Provide Accommodations for a Disability or Religious Accommodations
If your employer fails or refuses to accommodate your disability or religion, the discrimination attorneys in Bellevue, WA, may be able to help you pursue the justice you deserve.
Harassment
Harassment can be anything from demeaning comments to intimidation, which can cause a hostile work environment. Workplace harassment can also be related to ageism, racism, sexism and also includes sexual harassment and physical violence. Employers may also be held liable for allowing the environment for employees to harass other employees. If possible, be sure to have documentation of your harassment. This will make your legal case stronger.
When workplace harassment or discrimination occurs, be sure to document anything that could be considered illegal harassment. Our discrimination lawyers will help you determine if these actions warrant legal action.
What Are Some Examples of Employment Discrimination?
Discrimination applies to a variety of situations. Below are some common forms of employment discrimination:
- Denying interviews or hiring to someone because of their protected status
- Paying women less than men for the same job
- Allowing employees to harass someone about their disability, sexual orientation, or other protected status.
- Refusing to allow an employee time needed for religious holidays and practices
- Firing an employee because she is pregnant or because she takes maternity leave
Workplace discrimination is more widespread than you might imagine. This list does not include all the ways discrimination can happen in the workplace, so if you aren’t sure about a specific situation, our discrimination lawyers in Bellevue, WA, can help.
FAQ
What are victims of discrimination entitled to?
If you have face discrimination in the workplace, you are entitled to lost wages and emotional distress in addition to injunctive relief. Depending on your case, you may also recover punitive damages, which punish the employer for their discriminatory actions.
Can my employer retaliate against me if I complained about discrimination and harassment?
No, it is illegal for your employer to retaliate against you for filing a discrimination complaint. If you are retaliated against, our discrimination lawyers can help you take legal action.
What are Title VII and the Washington Law Against Discrimination?
Washington Law Against Discrimination and Title VII protect employees from workplace discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, or another federally protected group.
Do I need Documentation of Discrimination?
Documentation will be valuable for your case, especially if you have a record of the time, date, location, and nature of your discrimination. It’s essential to take a record of all involved parties and to document these factors as soon as possible after the discrimination or harassment.