Discrimination at work is more than just an annoyance. It can disrupt your entire life. In New York, employees who face ongoing workplace harassment often wonder if they can sue their employers for the emotional distress and anxiety it causes. The good news is that you can, in most cases.
The answer depends on your claims and willingness to pursue litigation. If your claims are strong and you are invested in the litigation process, it can be very “worth it” to feel you are standing up for accountability, getting compensation for your injuries, and incentivizing the company to change its ways.
The following would be considered illegal discrimination if there is evidence that the decision was made based on a protected characteristic: Sexual Harassment. Refusal to Provide Services. Unfair Lending Practices. Misrepresenting the Availability of Housing. Refusal to Allow “Reasonable Modifications” Refusing Rental.
Wronged employees have three ways of proving their employers intended to discriminate: circumstantial evidence, direct evidence, and pattern and practice. Circumstantial evidence is evidence that proves a fact by inference, as opposed to direct evidence which directly proves a fact.
Typical outcomes if discrimination is found An employer may be required to hire, reinstate, or promote an applicant/employee. In addition, an applicant or employee may obtain an award of monetary damages.
Consider Speaking Up: If you feel safe doing so, consider addressing the behavior directly with your manager. Use ``I'' statements to express how their actions affect you. Report the Behavior: If the discrimination continues, consider reporting it to HR or a higher authority within your organization.
When it comes to California discrimination lawsuits, the potential payout varies greatly depending on the company's size. Take small businesses with fewer than 100 employees - they're looking at a maximum payout of $50,000. But scale up to 101-200 employees, and that number jumps to $100,000.