Employment Discrimination
Thoughtful counsel. Relentless advocacy.
Workplace discrimination can derail your career—and retaliation often follows when you speak up. If you suspect you were treated differently because of a protected characteristic, we can help you understand your options and take action.
Employment discrimination is more than “unfair” — it can be illegal
Discrimination happens when an employer (or supervisor, manager, or co-worker) makes decisions about your job because of a protected trait—for example, who you are, where you’re from, your age, your disability, or your sex. Federal law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and transgender status), and national origin, among other protections.
Discrimination can show up in any aspect of employment—hiring, firing, pay, scheduling, promotions, discipline, job assignments, training opportunities, and more.
Types of employment discrimination we handle
We represent employees in a wide range of discrimination matters, including:
Race, color, national origin, and ethnicity discrimination.
Sex and gender discrimination (including sexual orientation and transgender status).
Pregnancy-related discrimination and workplace accommodation issues.
Age discrimination (typically age 40+).
Disability discrimination and failure to accommodate.
Religious discrimination and reasonable accommodations.
Equal pay / compensation discrimination.
Genetic information discrimination.
State-law protections may be broader. For example, the Minnesota Human Rights Act also lists protected classes such as marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, and gender identity (among others).
Common signs of discrimination at work
Every case is different, but these patterns come up often:
You’re treated differently than similarly-situated coworkers after a protected trait becomes known
Your employer suddenly claims “performance issues” after years of positive feedback
You’re passed over for promotions, better shifts, training, or commissions
You’re disciplined more harshly than others for the same conduct
You’re targeted with stereotypes, slurs, or comments tied to a protected trait
You’re pushed out after requesting an accommodation (medical, disability, pregnancy, religion)
If your situation fits any of these, it’s worth getting legal guidance early.