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Mesa Employment Discrimination Lawyers

Employment discrimination occurs when an employee faces unfair treatment based on being a member of a protected class. These classes include age, ethnicity, gender or sex, national origin, pregnancy status, religion, disability, and more. All employees must be treated equally when it comes to hiring, firing, pay rates, promotions, and the like.

Here at Ernst, Brown & Draper, our attorneys understand that discrimination still happens in Mesa, Arizona, and we are here to help. Our team of lawyers has more than 25 years of combined experience, and we all worked at major firms before starting a boutique firm to focus more closely on our clients’ needs. You can count on us to provide personalized services and high-level legal skills when navigating complex disputes.

Common Types Of Workplace Discrimination

Discrimination can take many forms. Examples include:

  • Passing up all employees in a certain protected class for raises or promotions
  • Only firing workers because they are in these classes
  • Refusing to hire workers based on fundamental characteristics, like their gender or race
  • Giving specific employees the tasks that no one else wants, giving them an unfair schedule, paying them less than other employees for the same work, etc.

Any time that these decisions are made because an employee is in a protected class – such as refusing to promote women to leadership roles – it is potential discrimination. In this sense, the intent plays a major role in these cases. It is not illegal to fire someone who is in a protected class, but it is illegal to fire someone because they are in a protected class.

Signs You May Be Experiencing Discrimination

Identifying discrimination requires attention to patterns and documentation of troubling incidents. Watch for these warning signs that may indicate discriminatory treatment:

  • Sudden negative performance reviews despite previously positive feedback
  • Different standards applied to you compared to colleagues of different backgrounds
  • Exclusion from meetings, communications or advancement opportunities
  • Inappropriate comments, jokes or slurs related to protected characteristics
  • Disciplinary actions for behaviors that others engage in without consequence
  • Reassignment to less desirable duties following protected activities like FMLA leave

Maintaining detailed records of all concerning incidents, including dates, times, witnesses and exact statements, becomes crucial evidence if legal action becomes necessary. Documentation created in real time holds significant weight in discrimination cases. Email communications, text messages and internal company documents can reveal discriminatory patterns that might otherwise remain hidden from view.

Legal Protections Against Discrimination

Federal laws including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provide significant protections for employees.

Arizona also offers additional protections through the Arizona Civil Rights Act, which applies to employers with 15 or more employees. Understanding which laws apply to your situation affects both the filing process and potential remedies available. These protections extend beyond termination to include hiring practices, promotion decisions, compensation structures and workplace conditions, creating a comprehensive framework for addressing discriminatory employment practices.

Your Rights As An Employee

As an employee, you have a right to stand up against discrimination. Remember that retaliation is also prohibited. Many employees are nervous to speak up against discrimination because they fear losing their jobs or getting blackballed in their industry. But it is illegal for an employer to fire someone – or cut their pay, reduce their hours or otherwise “punish” them – simply for making a valid report. You have a right to fair treatment and an equal opportunity in every job, and our mission as discrimination attorneys in Arizona is to help you defend those rights and put an end to any discrimination that may be occurring.

Steps To Take If You’re Facing Discrimination

If you are being discriminated against, here are some steps to take:

  • Report the issue to your employer
  • Make a report with the Fair Employment Practices Agency (FEPA)
  • Make a report with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
  • Document everything. Make a journal of events, get witness statements, save copies of email messages or text messages, etc.
  • Consider your options to use litigation to protect your employment

The more information you have about how the discrimination took place, the stronger your case will be. Our experienced team can help you navigate this complex process.

How Our Attorneys Handle Discrimination Cases

Our approach to discrimination-based termination claims begins with a thorough investigation of your workplace experiences. We collect evidence, interview witnesses and analyze company policies and procedures for potential violations.

When appropriate, we guide you through the EEOC filing process, making sure all deadlines are met and the required information is properly submitted. If the EEOC investigation does not resolve your matter, we prepare a comprehensive litigation strategy focused on pursuing the maximum compensation available for your losses.

Set Up A Consultation Today

If you would like to set up an initial consultation with our team, just give us a call now at 602-858-5940 or use the online contact form. Consultations are confidential and we look forward to meeting with you.