Employment Discrimination

Discrimination in the workplace is illegal and can take many forms such as in hiring, promotions, termination and many other aspects of employment relationship. Protections are provided under certain laws when the discrimination is on the basis of a person's race, gender, national origin, religion, disability, or age, or there is retaliation against an individual for opposing such practices. Federal and state agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or an equivalent state entity are charged with investigating such claims.

In the case of religious discrimination, and disability discrimination, it may also be illegal for an employer to deny reasonable accommodations to an employee. For example, absent extenuating circumstances, an employer cannot require a person to violate his/her religious beliefs. Similarly, an employer must accommodate the disabilities of its employees if those disabilities meet certain standards. If a company terminates an employee without considering an accommodation, this too can be wrongful termination.