Marital Status Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Claims
At LCK Law, we are committed to protecting employees from discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on their marital status. Although marital status is not always a widely discussed issue in the workplace, it is a protected category under both California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of personal characteristics, including marital status. If you have faced unfair treatment, hostile behavior, or retaliation due to your marital status, our skilled attorneys are here to help you fight for justice and protect your rights.
Marital Status Discrimination
Marital status discrimination occurs when an employee or job applicant is treated unfairly or differently based on their marital status. This can include:
- Unfair hiring, firing, or promotion decisions because of whether an employee is married, single, divorced, or widowed
- Differential treatment or biased decisions made about an employee’s job responsibilities or career advancement based on their marital status
- Unequal pay or benefits due to marital status, such as offering different benefits to employees based on their marital situation
- Discriminatory work assignments or exclusion from certain opportunities because of being married, unmarried, or divorced
Both FEHA and Title VII prohibit employers from making employment decisions based on an employee’s marital status. If you have faced discriminatory actions at work because of your marital status, you may be entitled to seek legal recourse and compensation for the harm caused.
Marital Status Harassment
Harassment based on marital status occurs when an employee is subjected to offensive, unwelcome, or hostile conduct because of their marital status. This may include:
- Derogatory comments or jokes about an employee’s marriage, divorce, or being single
- Invasive questioning about an employee’s marital life or personal relationships
- Exclusion from work events or social activities based on marital status
- Bullying or mocking an employee because of their marital situation
Employers are legally obligated to prevent and address harassment related to marital status. If such harassment creates a hostile work environment or affects your ability to perform your job, you have the right to take legal action. It is important that employers respond to complaints of marital status harassment promptly to prevent ongoing mistreatment.
Retaliation for Reporting Marital Status Discrimination or Harassment
Retaliation occurs when an employer takes adverse action against an employee for asserting their rights or filing a complaint about marital status discrimination or harassment. Retaliation may include:
- Termination, demotion, or reassignment to a less favorable position after the employee files a complaint about marital status discrimination or harassment
- Negative performance reviews or unwarranted disciplinary actions in response to reporting discriminatory conduct
- Exclusion from promotions or raises due to complaining about discrimination or harassment based on marital status
- Reduction of work hours or reassignment of duties in retaliation for speaking out against unfair treatment related to marital status
Both FEHA and Title VII provide strong protections against retaliation. If you have been retaliated against for asserting your rights, it is crucial to take action to protect yourself and hold your employer accountable for unlawful actions.
How We Can Help
At LCK Law, we understand how difficult it can be to deal with marital status discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in the workplace. We are dedicated to helping employees who have been unfairly treated due to their marital status. Whether you are facing direct discrimination, harassment from coworkers, or retaliation for asserting your rights, we are here to provide the legal support you need.
Our team will work closely with you to investigate your case, ensure your rights are protected, and pursue the compensation you deserve.
If you have experienced marital status discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, contact us today for a confidential consultation. Let us help you take action to protect your career and ensure that you are treated fairly at work.