Workplace discrimination is a reality many employees face in South Jersey and across the country. Whether it’s subtle or blatant, discrimination can lower your morale, affect your performance, and even derail your career. But when you recognize the signs, you can take steps to protect your rights.
What Is Workplace Discrimination?
Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer, manager, or coworker treats you unfairly because of a protected characteristic, such as your race, gender, age, disability, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation. This treatment may affect hiring, firing, promotions, wages, job assignments, and other employment conditions.
Under federal laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—as well as New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD)—such treatment is illegal.
What Does Racial Discrimination Look Like in the Workplace?
Racial discrimination can take many forms. It may include:
- Being passed over for promotions or raises despite your qualifications.
- Receiving less desirable assignments.
- Harsher discipline compared to coworkers of other races.
- Hearing racial slurs or offensive jokes.
- Exclusion from meetings or important projects.
Even if no one uses racial slurs, patterns of unfair treatment based on race can still qualify as unlawful discrimination.
What Does Gender or Sexual Orientation Discrimination Involve?
Gender discrimination can affect anyone, regardless of identity. It may show up through:
- Unequal pay for equal work.
- Denial of promotions based on gender.
- Toleration of inappropriate comments or harassment.
- Disregard for complaints of unwanted advances.
Sexual orientation discrimination—including against LGBTQ+ individuals—may include exclusion from work activities, biased performance reviews, or being overlooked for assignments or raises based on real or perceived orientation. Both federal and state laws prohibit this kind of conduct.
How Can Age Discrimination Harm Your Career?
Employees 40 years or older are protected under the ADEA, but age discrimination still happens. Warning signs include:
- Being encouraged to retire early.
- Being passed over for promotions in favor of younger employees.
- Layoffs targeting older workers.
- Age-based jokes or assumptions about your skills.
Even subtle behavior—like questioning your ability to adapt to new technology—could be part of a discriminatory pattern.
What Is Disability Discrimination?
Disability discrimination occurs when an employer treats a qualified employee with a disability unfairly. This can include:
- Failing to provide reasonable accommodations.
- Terminating or demoting someone after learning about their disability.
- Excluding disabled employees from training, advancement, or other workplace opportunities.
Under the ADA and NJLAD, employers must provide reasonable accommodations and cannot discriminate based on physical or mental disabilities.
What Should You Do If You Experience Workplace Discrimination?
If you believe you’re being discriminated against:
- Document everything. Keep detailed notes about what happened, when, and who was involved. Save emails, text messages, and memos.
- Report the issue. Follow your employer’s HR procedures to file a complaint internally.
- Seek legal advice. If your concerns are ignored or retaliation occurs, consult an experienced South Jersey employment lawyer to review your legal options.
Why Choose Attorney Leo B. Dubler, III, Esq.?
Attorney Leo B. Dubler, III, Esq. brings over 25 years of experience handling workplace discrimination claims throughout New Jersey. His clients have recovered millions of dollars in compensation. Recognized by Martindale-Hubbell as an AV Preeminent Attorney and named to the Super Lawyers list, Leo is committed to protecting employee rights and holding employers accountable.
Get Help from a South Jersey Workplace Discrimination Lawyer at The Law Offices of Leo B. Dubler, III, LLC
You shouldn’t have to endure discrimination alone. At The Law Offices of Leo B. Dubler, III, LLC, we fight for justice on behalf of workers. Call a South Jersey workplace discrimination lawyer at 856-235-7075 or fill out our online form for a free consultation. With offices in Mount Laurel and Atlantic City, we serve clients in Cherry Hill, Burlington County, Camden County, and South Jersey.