Wade Coye's Blog
Regulating the Regulators
The “Great Recession” that started three years [...]
Emerging Technologies within Traditional Systems: Video Conferences
It is so easy to communicate in today’s world. [...]
Building the New Orlando Location
In July 2009, the Coye Law Firm temporarily relocated [...]
Dan Smith's Blog
The Bench is a Boundary
At a recent Social Security Disability hearing, I was [...]
Insurance Companies Protecting Themselves: Florida’s Non-joinder Statute
During a recent case, I had to explain to a client why we [...]
Social Networks as a Legal Tool
People use social networks every day. Their activities, [...]
Recent Updates:
Gender Discrimination
Gender relations in the workplace have come a long way in the last few decades. Men and women both enjoy positions of authority and power in companies around the country because of legislative measures. However, some issues regarding gender discrimination are still an unfortunate reality in the workplace. If you have been the victim of discrimination based on your gender, speaking with a gender discrimination attorney is your best option for justice.
The attorneys at the Coye Law Firm can help you:
- know how to recognize forms of gender discrimination
- hold employers and/or coworkers accountable
- file formal complaints with the company and state
- pursue further legal action if necessary
Hiring an experienced discrimination lawyer is necessary in gender discrimination cases in order to protect not only your rights, but your integrity. If an employer skews a situation, it can hurt your reputation and chances at finding further employment. The Coye Law Firm will defend you and determine what you may be entitled to as a victim.
Forms of Discrimination
It is illegal for an employer to consider a person's gender when doing the following:
- hiring them for a position
- terminating their employment
- assigning them to a position
- determining their compensation rate
- promoting them
Additionally, employment agencies must follow these rules when considering an applicant for an open position.
Pregnancy
It is also illegal for a woman to be fired or denied employment because she is pregnant. A woman who becomes pregnant while working for a company may be unlawfully forced to take maternity leave, made to switch to another job, or barred from returning to work for a certain period of time. This is discrimination. It is only legal to change her employment assignment or status if the pregnancy has a direct effect on her ability to perform her job. Denying a male employee time off to care for a child is also a form of discrimination. Find out more about Family and Medical Leave here.
Further information on gender discrimination is available at the Florida Commission for Human Relations website. Here you can file a complaint and investigate dispute resolutions.
If your employment has been compromised based on your gender, then legal action against the employer may be the way to fix their practices. Contact the Coye Law Firm to discuss your case and see if you have a valid claim.
Sexual Harassment
Men and women may be the victims of sexual harassment in the workplace. Sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination because a person's dignity is being compromised based on another's sexual advances.
The following behavior constitutes harassment on the part of an employer:
- making sexual advances or statements
- granting job-related benefits in exchange for sexual conduct
- creating an overtly sexual work environment
Most businesses and companies take sexual harassment very seriously and have strict policies in place preventing this conduct. Posted information regarding what is meant by "inappropriate behavior" is common, and employees should familiarize themselves with what constitutes harassment.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has the complete portion of the Civil Rights Act protecting against gender discrimination available online.
Unwelcome advances in the workplace are something no one should have to endure. The laws regarding sexual harassment are complex and claims are best handled by a sexual harassment attorney. Behaviors can be subjective and your employer may claim that he or she didn't intend to offend you in the event of a sexual harassment claim. However, if you feel that there have been repeated violations of your rights as an employee, contact the Coye Law Firm to pursue legal action.
