Our Jupiter, FL Firm Protects Workers from Sexual Orientation Discrimination

Protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers in South Florida

Our attorney at Pfeffer & Associates has almost 30 years of experience with employment law matters. We advocate for the rights of all workers to be judged by their abilities and treated with fairness in the workplace. Our lawyer strongly defends the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workers against discrimination and harassment. Whom you love or the ways in which you diverge from gender stereotypes should not be a factor in employment-related decisions.

What rights do lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers have under federal laws?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination against people who belong to a protected class, including that of gender. The Civil Rights Act has been amended and interpreted throughout the decades, but remains steadfastly the basis for workers’ claims regarding their employers’ discriminatory conduct. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) states that LGBT workers may have standing to file a claim under the sex-based discrimination laws. However, there remains no federal statute that expressly protects LGBT workers.

Florida’s laws regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals

Florida’s current laws do not grant express protections to LGBT workers. The Competitive Workforce Act, which has been introduced into Congress, would amend the state’s Civil Rights Act to include language that forbids discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.

Sex-based harassment and discrimination in the workplace

You may have a valid claim of discrimination if your employer considers your sexual orientation, identity or expression in such work-related decisions as hiring, promotions, wages, training opportunities, benefits, project assignments, shifts or termination of employment. Federal laws additionally protect you against sex-based harassment by your colleagues, your boss, supervisors in other departments and customers and vendors of your employer.

Taking action against your employer

After assessing the facts of your case, our discrimination lawyer explains your legal rights, next steps and likely outcomes. We may also recommend actions you can take to preserve evidence of harassment or discrimination and to protect yourself from further harm. Depending on your circumstances, our attorney may:

• Seek injunctive relief to end the discriminatory or harassing conduct in your workplace
• Request that you be reinstated in your job, if you have been fired, or to the higher position to which you should have been promoted
• Pursue back wages in unfair pay or unlawful termination claims
• Demand other monetary damages that are appropriate in your case

Protect yourself from sex-based discrimination and harassment in your West Palm Beach or St. Lucie County workplace

Defend your rights in sex-based discrimination or harassment claims in the Florida courts. Call Pfeffer & Associates at 561-745-8011 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. From our Jupiter office, we handle your employment rights case on a contingency fee basis.