RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN DISCRIMINATION RIGHTS LAWYER
If you are facing discrimination in the workplace due to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, then you need the help of an employment lawyer who can handle claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. These claims are commonly called Title VII claims. Title VII protects you from discrimination in your employment. As a result, it is illegal for your employer to discriminate against you due to your race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
You have important rights under federal law. If you are being denied your rights due to one of these factors, then you need the help of a civil rights employment lawyer. We can help you.
WHAT ARE THE PROTECTED CLASSES
The protected classes under Title VII are race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. These protected classes are protected under federal law, and Title VII applies in all 50 states, and the U.S. territories. In some states, such as Connecticut, there are additional protected classes that are protected under state law.
WHERE DO YOUR PROTECTIONS UNDER FEDERAL LAW COME FROM?
The Civil Rights Act of 1965, Title VII.
WHAT ARE YOUR CIVIL RIGHTS TITLE VII PROTECTIONS IN CONNECTICUT?
Essentially, your are protected from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, and national origin in hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, or terms, conditions or privileges of employment.
ANTI-RETALIATION RIGHTS.
In addition to protections in terms of your employment, Title VII also protects you from retaliation. Thus, your employer cannot retaliate against you for enforcing your rights. For example, if you make a complaint to the EEOC about the fact that your employer is discriminating against you in some way, then your employer cannot retaliate against you for the fact that you made the complaint to the EEOC. If your employer does retaliate against you, then you have the right to sue for their retaliation.
HOW CAN YOUR CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER HELP YOU?
WHERE IS THE FIRST PLACE TO FILE A CLAIM?
The Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) is an administrative agency that helps to protect against discrimination. They can enforce state law, or federal law in most instances. Thus, they enforce Title VII. You must file a claim with the CHRO before you are permitted to bring a lawsuit in Court. Additionally, since Title VII is a federal statute, and you can also file your claim with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC), which is part of the United States, Department of Labor. Your administrative claim with either the CHRO, the EEOC, or both is the first step. You must exhaust your administrative remedies before you can sue in Superior Court. In most cases the administrative claim is filed with the CHRO, but it also administered as an EEOC claim as well. It is highly recommended that you get your employment lawyer’s help in drafting your administrative claim.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO SUE IN THE CONNECTICUT SUPERIOR COURT.
Many cases do not get fully resolved by the CHRO, or the EEOC for various reasons. The administrative claim is a necessary step you must take before you are allowed to sue in Court. When the administrative claim in concluded, you can file your lawsuit in the Connecticut Superior Court, or federal court. Since Title VII is federal law, both federal courts and Connecticut state Courts have original jurisdiction to hear the case. Your experienced employment lawyer will provide advice about whether it is better to sue in state court, or federal court.
WHAT ARE YOUR REMEDIES UNDER TITLE VII?
In a Connecticut lawsuit, you can sue for:
- Lost past wages or back pay;
- Lost future wages or front pay;
- Reinstatement of your position;
- Attorneys’ fees, and the cost of litigation;
- Emotional distress or other non-economic damages;
- Punitive damages.
WHERE TO FIND HELP.
Contact the Connecticut employment lawyers at The Bartinik Law Firm LLC. If you have been fired in retaliation for exercising your rights, or discriminated against for being in a protected class we can help you. We are in Southeastern, Connecticut. Most of our cases are in Connecticut, but we also accept cases in Rhode Island, and Florida. Call us at 860-445-8521 for a consultation.