Oregon Employment Lawyer
Do you feel you have been discriminated against in you Oregon workplace on the basis of your gender, race or any disabilities you may have? If so, you may need the legal assistance of an Oregon employment lawyer.
The United States has a set of federal laws barring discriminatory practices based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age and disability. In addition, Oregon state laws may go above and beyond the protections of federal law.
You may be unclear as to what constitutes discriminatory practice. It can be many things - unequal pay, hiring, placement, promotion, transfers, or termination - if they are based on or influenced by an employee's or applicant's race, gender, disability status, etc.
Sexual harassment is another form of discriminatory practice. According to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, any unwelcome sexual conduct in the workplace, regardless of position or gender, is harassment.
Anyone who feels they have or are currently suffering from workplace discrimination has options.
First, you should file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency that enforces federal anti-discrimination laws. As well, if you feel your employer has violated state anti-discrimination laws, you should file charges with the Oregon Fair Employment Practices Agency (FEPA).
The EEOC or FEPA will investigate then investigate your claims. If they find evidence of discriminatory practice, they will then likely try to mediate between you and the offending company.
But this is only one option. With the help of an Oregon employment lawyer you can forgo the mediation process and march your employer into court.
The federal and state anti-discrimination agencies are just a first step - you can proceed to file a private lawsuit even if they find no evidence of discrimination.
Employment lawyers in Oregon will often meet with you for a consultation free of charge. There you can discuss the details of your case - what discriminatory practices took place, they federal and local laws that make them illegal, and how you can fight your company in court.
Indeed, if you have a strong case many Oregon employment discrimination lawyers will represent you at no cost to you. In this case, part of the compensation paid to you if you win the case will go to your lawyer's fees.
Discrimination in hiring or on the job is not only unfair - it's illegal. You can fight against such criminal practices through federal and state channels - and with the help of an employment discrimination lawyer.
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