Employment Discrimination

Equal opportunity is the cornerstone of the American dream. When employers discriminate against job applicants and employees based upon their race, gender, age, disability, or religion the ideal of equal opportunity is undermined. Employment discrimination is abhorrent to the principles of equality and fundamental fairness upon which this nation was founded, but it is more than an attack on principals. Employment discrimination unjustly deprives individuals of the ability to provide for oneself and family as well as the opportunity to fulfill a meaningful role in their community.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, together with the a host of other state and federal laws, offer the promise of equal employment opportunity by prohibiting job discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, and military status. Most anti-discrimination laws require victims to file administrative charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) within 180 days of the discriminatory action. This is an important step in the process because you cannot pursue your claim in court until the EEOC has had an opportunity to investigate your charge of discrimination.

In addition to the anti-discrimination protections provided by state and federal law, North Carolina law prohibits employers from terminating or retaliating against an employee for participating in protected activities or opposing employment practices which are illegal or abhorrent to the public interest. You can’t be treated unfairly, harassed, punished or terminated for these reasons or for taking advantage of your rights under the Civil Rights Act, the Workers Compensation Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, or a host of other state and/or federal laws. Additionally, employers must follow their own policies and guidelines for termination if they have binding written policies in place.

If you have been the victim of workplace discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, our employment law attorneys may be able help. We offer free consultations to employees and job applicants who believe they were denied equal opportunity, harassed, or retaliated against because of your race, gender, age, religion, or disability. If you decide to hire our firm, we offer a variety of fee arrangement to fit your circumstances, including contingency fees, flat fees, hourly rates, and hybrid arrangements.