Every worker has the right to be treated fairly at their job. If your employer is treating you badly because of who you are, that is against the law. You do not have to put up with it or face it alone.
We help workers across Illinois who are facing workplace discrimination. If you think your rights have been violated, call us today and let us take a look at your case for free.
Fighting for Workplace Discrimination Victims Across Illinois
Being treated unfairly at work because of who you are is painful. It can affect how you feel about yourself, how well you do your job, and how you live your life outside of work.
We take every discrimination case seriously. We listen to what you have been going through, review all the details, and fight hard to ensure your employer is held responsible for how they treated you.
What Is Employment Discrimination?
Employment discrimination happens when your employer treats you worse than other workers because of a personal trait that is protected by law. If you are being treated unfairly at work and there is no clear work-related reason for it, you may have a legal case worth looking into.
Some common examples of unfair treatment at work include:
- Getting worse job tasks than other workers in the same role
- Being passed over for a promotion you clearly deserved
- Hearing offensive or hurtful comments directed at you at work
- Being paid less than coworkers who do the same job
- Being denied help for a disability you have
- Facing sexual harassment from a manager or coworker
- Being asked personal questions about your health or family plans
Workers in Illinois are protected from discrimination based on:
- Race, religion, and colour
- Sex, pregnancy, and gender identity
- Sexual orientation and ancestry
- Disability and national origin
- Citizenship and military status
- Age: if you are 40 or older
What Are the Main Types of Employment Discrimination?
There are two main types of discrimination claims workers in Illinois can file. The first is called disparate treatment. This is when an employer intentionally treats a worker worse because of a protected trait. For example, a worker might be turned down for a job because of their race, or a manager might threaten to fire someone for not going along with something wrong.
The second type is called disparate impact. This is when an employer creates a rule that seems fair but ends up hurting workers from a protected group more than others. This type does not have to be done on purpose to be against the law. A job requirement that has nothing to do with the actual work but ends up leaving out women or people with disabilities is one example of this.
What Laws Protect Discrimination Victims in Illinois?
Workers in Illinois are covered by strong state and federal laws. The Illinois Human Rights Act stops employers from treating workers unfairly based on race, sex, religion, age, disability, and national origin, among other protected traits.
The federal Civil Rights Act also protects workers from discrimination based on race, colour, sex, religion, and national origin. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act covers workers who are 40 or older. We know how to use all of these laws to build the strongest case for you.
What Should You Do If You Face Discrimination at Work?
If you think your employer is treating you badly because of who you are, the best thing you can do is talk to an attorney as soon as possible. While you wait, here are some steps you can take right now:
- Write down every incident, including the date, time, and names of anyone involved.
- Report the discrimination to your manager or the human resources department.
- Keep copies of any good performance reviews or awards you have received.
- Save any emails or messages that show how you have been treated.
- Talk to coworkers who may have gone through the same thing.
Taking these steps early gives your case a much stronger base when you are ready to move forward.
How Our Discrimination Attorneys Fight for You
We have handled many discrimination cases, and we know exactly what it takes to build a strong case. We gather the right proof, find the strongest legal arguments, and fight hard to get you every dollar you are owed.
We treat every case with full attention and make sure your employer faces real consequences for how they treated you at work.
Ready to Take Action?
If your employer has treated you unfairly because of who you are, do not wait to get help. Discrimination cases have strict deadlines, and waiting too long can take away your right to file a claim.
We offer a free consultation to every client, and you pay nothing unless we win. Call us today and let us start fighting for you.