El Paso Discrimination Attorneys

Strategic Representation for Employees

The United States is a country whose principles are based on equality and justice. Throughout our history, to combat hundreds of years of inherited bias and prejudice, the government has placed various protective laws, such as the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 or the American Disabilities Act of 1990, to guard people against unfair discrimination.

Unfortunately, despite the influence of these key acts, there still remains traces of racism, sexism, ageism, and many other types of discrimination within the workplace. These cruel behaviors can appear in many forms, sometimes overt and sometimes subtle, but they are all illegal. If you are a victim of discrimination at your workplace, you need to know you are not alone. Our El Paso discrimination lawyers are determined to give you the justice you deserve. Trust Kennard Law, P.C. to represent you against unlawful prejudice.

Contact us now at (855) 499-4514 so that our employment law attorneys can give you the answers you have been searching for.

What is Employee Discrimination in El Paso?

Discrimination is the terrible circumstance that occurs when an employee faces prejudice for some characteristic, which then leads them to be poorly treated in comparison to other employees. Discrimination is not just any type of bullying or harassment, but specifically a case of bias against certain protective classes, from gender to religion to ethnicity.

In the state of Texas, an employee can only succeed at having a valid claim of discrimination if the employer has demonstrated a tangible, negative action of discrimination within the workplace. Such negative behaviors could include demotions, a decrease in salary or benefits, a layoff, or a refusal to promote. It could also include placing a person in a position with lesser duties, exclusion from meetings or key emails, or even full terminations.

Classes of Discrimination in Texas

In the state of Texas, as well as the rest of the country, there is no excuse for illegal discrimination. Laws of both the federal and state governments are designed to safeguard employees from biased behavior made about certain classes.

These protected classes include:

• Age
• Race or ethnicity
• National origin
• Religion
• Gender
• Disability
• Marital status
• Pregnancy status
• Sexual orientation

Federal & State Discrimination Protections

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act protect employees from discrimination in any aspect of their employment based on their membership in a protected class.

Texas Labor Code Chapter 21 states that employers with at least 15 employees cannot discriminate based on race, religion, sex, or national origin. Texas Labor Code Chapter 21 also contains an anti-retaliation provision if an employee files or participates in a discrimination complaint.

Under these laws, it is illegal for employers to make decisions related to hiring, firing, compensation, transfers, promotions, layoffs, job advertisements, assignments, recruitment, and other job benefits based on a person’s membership or perceived membership in a protected class.

If you have experienced employment-based discrimination, you must first file a charge with either the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Civil Rights Division of the Texas Workforce Commission before you can initiate a civil rights lawsuit. Consult with a seasoned lawyer today to learn how to start the process.

By using the Texas Labor Code, the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Family Medical Leave Act, our lawyers can powerfully defend your cause.