Employment Discrimination Claims Attorney Connecticut

If You Have Been Subjected to Employment Discrimination, Our Connecticut Discrimination Lawyers Can Help

Connecticut Employment Discrimination Claims Attorney

The Civil Rights Act of 1964, and specifically, Title VII, is one of the cornerstones of American employment discrimination laws.

That law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Other federal laws prohibit discrimination based on other characteristics such as age, pregnancy, and disability.

In Connecticut, other laws prohibit discrimination based on characteristics such as race, color, religion, disability, age, sex, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation.

Both federal law and Connecticut law also make it illegal to pay people less money for doing the same work as someone of another gender, commonly referred to as denying someone equal pay for equal work. Yet, even though these laws have been in place for decades, employees and job applicants still encounter discrimination in the workplace. Not only is employment discrimination unethical, it’s illegal.

If you’ve been subjected to any type of discrimination that violates any federal or state law, get the advocacy you need to fight for your rights. At Madsen, Prestley & Parenteau LLC, we bring decades of experience, a track record of success and most of all, a passion and dedication to helping people protect their livelihoods through negotiation and, when necessary, litigation.

Employment discrimination encountered in Connecticut

Discrimination in the workplace can be defined as being treated differently because you are in what is known as a “protected class.” Under The Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title VII, a federal statute, being in a protected class means you cannot be denied employment, denied a promotion or a raise, or otherwise discriminated against in any aspect of employment based on your sex, race, color, national origin or religion. Today, laws have broadened to protect you from employment discrimination because of your:

  • Age: Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, workers who are 40 years of age or older cannot be discriminated against because of their age.
  • Pregnancy: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act forbids discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth or a condition resulting from pregnancy or childbirth.
  • Disability: The Americans With Disabilities Act means that workers with a disability must be given “reasonable accommodation” by the employer. It also forbids discrimination against disabled workers or their relationship with a disabled person (for instance, a disabled child or spouse).
  • Genetic information: Your personal genetic information or that of your family cannot be used to discriminate against you in any aspect of employment.
  • Sex, sexual orientation or gender identification: Illegal employment discrimination based on sex isn’t limited to whether one is male or female, but also sexual orientation and gender identification.
  • Military service: The Uniformed Services and Reemployment Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination against veterans or active duty, inactive duty training, initial active duty training and, under certain circumstances, military and emergency workers called for disaster relief.

In addition to protected classes, there are also protected activities, which include filing an EEOC complaint, discussing harassment with a manager or supervisor or requesting reasonable accommodation for a disability or religious practice. It is illegal for an employer to retaliate against an employee who engages in activities such as these that are protected under the law.

Connecticut laws prohibit employment discrimination

The Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act is similar to federal law, and makes it illegal to deny employment or any aspect of employment based on an “individual’s race, color, religious creed, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, present or past history of mental disability, intellectual disability, learning disability, physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness or status as a veteran.”

Learn more about how we can help protect you against employment discrimination

To schedule a confidential consultation with one of the skilled employment rights attorneys of Madsen, Prestley & Parenteau LLC to discuss your situation and start protecting your rights , call our office at (860) 246-2466 or contact us online.