You spend much of your day at work and deserve respectful and fair treatment from your coworkers and superiors. Unfortunately, harassment, discrimination, and other unfair treatment at work are common in Minnesota. Proving you are being treated unfairly at work can be challenging, but an experienced attorney can help you take proper steps.
Examples of Unfair Treatment at Work
Examples of unfair treatment at work can include:
- Being denied promotions or raises while less qualified coworkers move ahead
- Facing harsher discipline than someone else who made the same mistake
- Enduring offensive jokes, comments, or slurs about your race, gender, age, religion, or disability
- Having your requests for medical leave or workplace accommodation unfairly denied
- Experiencing retaliation, such as a demotion or reduced hours, after reporting misconduct or discrimination
- Being excluded from meetings, training, or projects that affect your advancement opportunities
Steps To Document and Report the Problem
Thorough documentation of the unfair treatment you’ve experienced is essential for defending your rights and holding your employer accountable. Here’s what to do to document your unfair treatment:
- Write down each incident as soon as it happens, including dates, times, and details of what occurred.
- Record the names of anyone who witnessed the event and note what they saw or heard.
- Save emails, texts, or other written communications that show biased or hostile treatment.
- Keep copies of performance reviews, schedules, or policy documents that reveal unfair practices.
- Store all records in a safe place outside your workplace to prevent you from losing them or others from tampering with them.
- Follow your company’s reporting procedures by filing a formal complaint with HR or management. Keep a copy of your complaint for your records.
- If you feel unsafe reporting the issue internally, consider meeting with state or federal agencies that handle workplace discrimination or harassment.
Minnesota and Federal Laws That Protect Your Rights As a Worker
Federal and state laws give employees strong protections against unfair treatment. For instance, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits workplace discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Similarly, the Americans with Disabilities Act protects workers with disabilities by requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled employees. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act bars discrimination against employees who are 40 or older.
Minnesota law provides even broader coverage. The Minnesota Human Rights Act protects workers from discrimination based on the same categories as federal law, but also includes protections for sexual orientation, marital status, and for people on public assistance. This law applies to companies of all sizes, while federal laws generally apply to employers with at least 15 employees. Finally, federal and Minnesota laws both prohibit retaliation against workers who report misconduct or participate in an investigation.
Possible Remedies for Unfair Workplace Treatment
You may recover back pay for lost wages or benefits and, in some cases, front pay for future losses if you experience unfair treatment at your job. Courts can also order your employer to reinstate you if you lost your job because of discrimination or retaliation.
In some cases, you can recover compensation for emotional harm caused by harassment or other unlawful treatment. Employers may also need to change workplace policies or provide training to prevent future violations.
How Our Lawyers Can Protect Your Rights
Fabian May & Anderson, PLLP, we believe everyone deserves to work in a safe and supportive environment, and we hold businesses accountable when they mistreat their workers. Our firm can determine whether your employer’s conduct violates Minnesota or federal law. From there, we can help you file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and make sure you meet all required deadlines. We also handle negotiations with your employer to seek a fair resolution. If your case requires going to court, we are prepared to represent you and pursue the remedies available under the law. Call now or complete our contact form for a consultation.
