Cherry Hill Workplace Discrimination Lawyer

Workplace discrimination remains a pervasive issue, affecting many employees across industries.

Despite significant advances in labor laws, unfair treatment based on race, gender, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other protected classes persists in workplaces everywhere, including right here in Camden County.

If you’re dealing with discrimination issues at your job in Southern New Jersey, hiring an experienced attorney can make all the difference in defending your rights, holding your employer accountable, and seeking the compensation you deserve.

Any Cherry Hill workplace discrimination lawyer in our office is willing to discuss your case with you during an initial complimentary consultation, so reach out to have that meeting with one of our attorneys at Folkman Law today.

Workers are protected from workplace discrimination by both state and federal laws, which aim to ensure that everyone has equal opportunities at their place of employment.

Laws That Protect New Jersey Employees From Discrimination

Discrimination manifests in a variety of ways, like harassment, wrongful termination, refusal to hire, denial of promotions, and unequal pay.

Federal laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) all offer strong protection against discrimination.

New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) expands protections beyond the federal laws listed above, adding additional coverage areas like gender identity, genetic identification, and marital status.

If you believe that you’ve been discriminated against in these or other areas, knowing the rights you’ve been provided under the above federal and state regulations may be your first step toward seeking justice and compensation for damages. A Cherry Hill workplace discrimination lawyer can help you understand the anti-discrimination laws that apply to your unique experience in a New Jersey workplace.

Signs of Workplace Discrimination

Discrimination can be subtle and is sometimes hard to identify, as it’s often disguised as normal practices or “just how we do business here” issues. Still, patterns of behavior can often reveal underlying discriminatory intent.

For example, if you’ve noticed that you’re consistently overlooked for promotions despite meeting or exceeding qualifications while less qualified employees are promoted, that could be a sign of bias.

Likewise, if a supervisor or coworker makes derogatory comments about one or more of your protected characteristics, it may contribute to a work environment that’s hostile, unfair, and illegal.

Here are some common forms of discrimination you may encounter on the job in New Jersey:

• Hiring and Promotion Discrimination: Qualified candidates from protected classes may be passed over for job opportunities or promotions based solely on discriminatory reasons.
• Unequal Pay: Inequality in pay, bonuses, or other forms of compensation often indicates potential wage discrimination, especially if you receive lower pay than colleagues with similar responsibilities and qualifications but different protected characteristics.
• Harassment: This can include (but isn’t limited to) unwanted comments, teasing, jokes, or demeaning behaviors targeting your protected characteristics, typically things that create a hostile work environment.
• Retaliation: Employers sometimes retaliate against employees who report discrimination. Retaliation can include demotions, transfers, or even termination after a discrimination complaint.

These are just a few examples of discriminatory practices. If you’ve experienced any of these issues, an experienced workplace discrimination attorney in Cherry Hill can help you discover if you have sufficient grounds for a legal claim.

Steps To Consider If You’re Experiencing Discrimination

If you think that you’ve been a victim of workplace discrimination or are currently being discriminated against, you can significantly strengthen your future case by taking these steps early on:

1. Document Everything: Keep detailed records of incidents. Be sure to include the dates, times, and exact comments or actions. This documentation will be critical in building a solid case.
2. Report the Discrimination: Follow whatever protocol that your company has in place for reporting discrimination. Typically, this will include meeting with a supervisor or member of your HR department. You’ll want to document this meeting to show that you were proactive and took the company-mandated steps to address the issue.
3. Avoid Retaliation: Remain professional and avoid actions that could be used against you. Unfortunately, some employers may look for reasons to justify adverse actions after a complaint.
4. Consult a Lawyer: Talking with a workplace discrimination lawyer as soon as possible to get clarity on the legal process and make sure that you avoid making mistakes or taking steps that may harm your case.

Taking these steps protects you and helps lay the foundation for a successful legal claim if necessary.

Why Do You Need a Cherry Hill Workplace Discrimination Lawyer?

Navigating a discrimination case and determining if an employer violated New Jersey employment laws can be quite complicated and often requires someone with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of both federal and local employment laws and regulations.

When you choose to partner with a qualified attorney, you not only benefit from their valuable legal expertise and experience, but you also gain access to the unique resources and relationships that they’ve built over years of similar situations and cases.

Many times, these can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.

Here are several more reasons why hiring a Cherry Hill workplace discrimination lawyer is beneficial:

• Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Lawyers have the resources to conduct thorough investigations, gather evidence, and interview witnesses to support your claim.
• Negotiating With Employers: Your lawyer will handle all communications with your employer, negotiating for compensation or settlement on your behalf.
• Representation in Court: If your case goes to trial, your attorney will represent you in court in Camden County, presenting your case effectively and helping you seek justice.

Hiring a lawyer sends a message to your employer that you’re serious about your case, which can significantly increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome, whether it be through an insurance settlement or the decision of a judge or jury.

Compensation Available to Workers Who Are Discriminated Against

Should your case be successful and a discrimination verdict is found in your favor, there are several categories of compensation that you could be entitled to, depending on the specifics of your claim.

These may include:

• Lost Wages: If you lost your job or faced demotion due to discrimination, you may be entitled to recover lost wages, including back pay and future pay.
• Emotional Distress: Many discrimination cases involve compensation for the emotional distress that you suffered as a result of harassment or a hostile work environment.
• Punitive Damages: In cases where the employer’s behavior was particularly egregious, you might be awarded punitive damages to penalize the employer.
• Attorney’s Fees: Some cases allow for the recovery of attorney’s fees, easing the financial burden on employees who pursue legal action.