Common Forms of Discrimination Against Women in the Workplace
According to the Pew Research Center, “gender discrimination comes in many forms for today’s working women,” from sexual harassment in the workplace to unequal pay for the same work that men are doing. Based on Pew’s data, approximately 40 percent of all working women report that they have experienced some form of gender discrimination in the workplace. The largest percentages of women say they earn less than men doing the same work, receive less support and fewer benefits than men doing the same work, and have been passed over for important assignments. Women also report persistent slights, being denied employment or a promotion, and experiencing sexual harassment. Women of color report even higher rates of discrimination.
What are the forms of discrimination that commonly occur in South Florida workplaces for which there are legal protections? Our South Florida gender discrimination attorneys can tell you more.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment can take the form of “quid pro quo” harassment (where a party in a supervisory condition requests or requires sexual favors in exchange for a benefit) or hostile work environment sexual harassment (where anyone in the workplace engages in sexual harassment that creates a hostile work environment). It is important to know that sexual harassment that creates a hostile work environment does not have to be harassment of a sexual nature–it can include jokes, disparaging comments, offensive images, and more with regard to a person’s sex or people of a particular sex.
Sexual harassment is prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA).
Being Passed Over for Employment or Denied a Promotion or Other Benefits on the Basis of Sex or Gender
Employers cannot discriminate against job applicants or employees on the basis of sex or gender. This means employers cannot seek to hire only men, deny promotions or benefits to women, or terminate women in order to bring more men into the workplace, for example.
These behaviors and more are unlawful under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA).
Pregnancy-Related Discrimination
Job applicants and employees have important protections against pregnancy-related discrimination, including women who are pregnant or who recently gave birth and have pregnancy-related conditions. You cannot be discriminated against on the basis of pregnancy (including being pregnant, having an abortion, having a medical condition related to pregnancy, and more), or be prevented from reasonable accommodations for a pregnancy-related condition or from having a private place and break time to express breast milk.
Protections exist under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA), the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), and the PUMP Act.
Unequal Pay for the Same Work as Men
Women must be paid the same as men for equal work in their workplace.
If you are being paid less than a male coworker who does the same job as you, you have rights under the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009.
Contact Our Palm Beach Gardens Gender and Sex Discrimination Lawyers for Help with Your Case
State and federal laws provide various forms of protection against gender and sex discrimination in the job application process and in the workplace, which include protections for women who have been treated unequally in relation to male coworkers. If you have experienced any type of sex or gender discrimination in an employment context, it is essential to seek legal advice. One of the experienced Palm Beach Gardens gender and sex discrimination attorneys at Sconzo Law Office can speak with you today. Whether you have been wrongfully terminated as a result of your employer’s discriminatory or otherwise unlawful action, or you have suffered adverse consequences at work, or even if your employer has simply refused to pay you equally or to provide you with a place to express breast milk, our firm can help. Contact us for assistance.
Sources:
eeoc.gov/statutes/title-vii-civil-rights-act-1964
dol.gov/agencies/whd/pump-at-work
eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/equal-pay-act-1963-and-lilly-ledbetter-fair-pay-act-2009