Legislation Protecting The Rights Of Employees In Florida
Whether against discrimination or retaliation, each of these laws protects the rights of employees In Florida in various ways.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects individuals from wrongful discrimination based on race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity. This includes retaliation against an employee who reports discriminatory behavior.
Similarly, the Age Discrimination and Employment Act prohibits discrimination based on age, protecting employees 40 years or older and against retaliation against employees who report age discrimination.
Finally, the Americans with Disabilities Act protects against discrimination based on disability or perceived disability. It allows employees to request reasonable accommodations, such as extra space to access their workstations. Employers who refuse such accommodations without reason can be held liable.
Not Completely Effective
The laws exist to protect employees and provide a path for them to seek justice when wronged, but it is ultimately the responsibility of the employee to bring forward any instances of discrimination they experience. The laws, in and of themselves, do not prevent all discrimination from occurring.
Additionally, there is a process that must be followed to obtain legal protection via these laws. Failure to do so jeopardizes the ability to receive protection from them. Ultimately, the only protection for employees is the ability to hold employers accountable for discriminatory behavior.
Taking Action – First Steps
If someone believes their employment rights have been violated, the first step in getting help is typically contacting an attorney.
The laws we have discussed are just a few of many more that are aimed at protecting the rights of employees in Florida. On top of indexing all relevant laws, it can be extremely challenging to understand what action to take, which statutes to file claims under, and what legal theories to pursue without a lawyer’s knowledge and experience. Therefore, speaking with a knowledgeable employment attorney is crucial to obtain guidance on the best course of action.
Furthermore, many employment law statutes have administrative requirements, and employees must file a discrimination charge or complaint with an administrative agency promptly. The timeline for administrative action is often shorter than that of a lawsuit, so it is crucial to act quickly if discrimination or retaliation is suspected.
For more information on Protecting The Rights Of An Employee In Florida, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (954) 678-5155 today.
