Workplace Discrimination: Know Your Rights

Federal and state laws prohibit discrimination in hiring, pay, promotion, and termination based on a range of protected characteristics — but knowing your rights starts with understanding exactly what's covered.

Protected Characteristics Under Federal Law

Federal law prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age (40 and older), disability, and genetic information.

Many states and cities extend additional protections beyond the federal minimum, covering categories like marital status, political affiliation, or additional protected classes not covered federally.

What Discrimination Can Look Like

Discrimination can be direct — a supervisor making explicitly biased comments tied to an employment decision — or more subtle, showing up in patterns like consistently passing over qualified candidates from a protected group for promotion.

It can affect any part of employment: hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, training opportunities, and benefits.

How to Pursue a Discrimination Claim

Most discrimination claims must first be filed with a government agency — the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) at the federal level, or an equivalent state agency — before a lawsuit can be filed, and there are strict deadlines for doing so.

The agency investigates, and depending on the outcome, issues a "right to sue" letter that allows the employee to proceed to court if the matter isn't otherwise resolved.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a discrimination charge?

Typically 180 to 300 days from the discriminatory act, depending on the state, though this is a strict deadline that shouldn't be left until the last minute.

Can I be fired for filing a discrimination complaint?

Retaliation for filing a good-faith complaint is itself illegal, separate from the underlying discrimination claim.

Workplace discrimination claims involve strict deadlines and specific procedural requirements. An employment attorney can help you understand your rights and file within the required timeframes.