Discrimination in the Workplace

We Defend Your Rights

Being treated differently at work or fired because of your race, color, religion, sex (including sexual harassment), national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, age, marital status or disability can be humiliating and potentially destructive to one’s way of life and family. At Mevorah Law our attorneys are compassionate and experienced in defending your rights. We believe that everyone should be treated the same and with respect in the workplace and that any form of discrimination is intolerable.

Illinois is an employment at-will state, meaning that an employer can fire you at any time as long as it is not for a discriminatory reason and the employer follows the procedures as outlined in the employer’s handbook. Employers are prohibited from making decisions regarding hiring, promotion, demotion, termination, compensation, job training, or other terms and conditions of employment based on your race, color, religion, sex (including sexual harassment), national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, age, marital status or disability.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a violation of one’s civil rights and against the law. Individuals are protected by laws to be able to work in an atmosphere free of sexual words, touches, text messages, emails and any other means by coworkers and supervisors. Every company should have a policy, which protects the employee from unwanted sexual contact. At the first incident of any unwanted sexual contact you should tell the offending party to stop and report the incident to your immediate supervisor. If it is your supervisor who is the offender you should report the incident to your supervisor’s boss or to your Human Resources Department. They must investigate. If the unwanted sexual conduct does not stop you may have grounds to file a complaint for sexual harassment. You cannot be fired for reporting sexual harassment. As with other forms of discrimination there are certain conditions and time frames that must be followed to recover damages under the law. Call our experienced attorneys if you feel you are the victim of sexual harassment.

Retaliation

Has your employer retaliated against you for reporting an illegal activity in the workplace or for filing a claim against your employer? Under certain circumstances you have the right to file a claim against your employer for retaliating against you by demoting you or firing you or otherwise treating you differently for reporting certain illegal actions taken by your employer. Talk to our experienced attorneys to determine if you have a retaliation claim.

Agencies

Which is the best agency to file your claim of discrimination? The laws have changed recently and your options have broadened as to where you can file a claim against your employer. Certain agencies are more appropriate than others for filing claims and agencies differ in how they handle a claim and the time limit you have to file your claim. Consult with our attorneys to determine which agency is most appropriate for your particular claim. If you have already filed a claim let our attorneys work with you to advise you how to navigate through the agency you have selected. Some people file their own claims but give up because they don’t know the agency policies; or their claims are dismissed because they did not follow the agencies’ procedures.

Illinois Department of Human Rights, Illinois Human Rights Commission, Chicago Commission on Human Rights, Cook County Commission on Human Rights, EEOC, State Court, Federal Court each have different policies and procedures for employment discrimination claims. Let our attorneys guide you through this maze to get you the maximum award you deserve.

Negotiating a Settlement

At times it may be appropriate to negotiate a settlement with the employer rather than file a complaint with any of the above agencies. Our attorneys can help you determine if negotiating a settlement is more appropriate in your individual case. Our attorneys will discuss your options with you and help you decide which type of action would better suit your needs. There are times when you can file with an agency and negotiate a settlement while your charge is pending. Let our experienced attorneys help you make an informed decision.

Damages

Your damages are based on your type of claim and the agency with which you file your claim. Let us help guide you and determine what action you should take and which agency will optimize your award.

Call us at (630) 529-4761 to make an appointment for a free consultation with one of our attorneys to help determine if your rights have been violated and the options available to you so you can get what you deserve.