Gender discrimination, also known as sex discrimination, is treating one gender less favorably than another in the workplace. This type of discrimination can take many forms. It includes treating an employee or applicant differently because of their biological sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, because they don’t conform to the employer’s gender stereotypes, or because of pregnancy. Speak with a gender discrimination lawyer at Bolek Besser Glesius if you think it has happened to you.
Both Ohio and federal law have gender discrimination statutes. Under both it is generally illegal for an employer to make any kind of employment decision because of gender. Employers may not decide to hire, fire, discipline, promote, or lay off any person because of their gender. Nor can they make decisions involving job assignments, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment based on an employee’s gender.
What are common examples of sex discrimination?
While women are more often victims of gender discrimination, the law protects everyone. If an employer shows preference to women, a male who is harmed may bring a claim of gender discrimination. More common examples of sex discrimination include:
- Paying men than women for the same job or work.
- Denying women promotions and instead giving them to less-qualified male employees or applicants.
- Disciplining women more harshly than men for the same infraction, and making the workplace so hostile for female employees that their ability to do their job is affected.
Where pay disparities are concerned, employees might have claims under two separate federal laws. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act bans gender discrimination in general, including with respect to pay and benefits. Similarly, the Equal Pay Act requires employers to pay men and women equal pay for equal work. For the Equal Pay Act to apply, the jobs need to be substantially equal, but don’t need to be identical. Because equal pay law is so complicated, employees who think they have a claim should consult with a gender discrimination lawyer.
Is sex discrimination the same thing as sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is just one type of sex discrimination. In sexual harassment cases, the employee—usually a woman—is subjected to unwelcome sexual advances, sexual jokes, photos, touching, or other conduct of a sexual nature. In some cases, she is made to feel that she must submit to her supervisor’s sexual advances to keep her job. Sexual harassment might also occur when the employer allows the workplace to become hostile or offensive to female employees that it interferes with their work performance. That is called a hostile work environment claim.
Gender discrimination lawyer for Ohio employees
You don’t have to stand for sex discrimination at work. If you have been fired, harassed, or otherwise mistreated at work because of your sex, talk to a gender discrimination lawyer at Bolek Besser Glesius for help.
