Federal Employee Discrimination Attorney Ready to Facilitate Your Claim
With two decades of success in protecting the rights of federal employees, our legal team at Pines Federal brings experience, dedication, tenacity, sensitivity and personal commitment to every case we represent.
Employment discrimination cases in particular require an experienced legal representative to navigate the specific laws that pertain to federal employee cases. A general employee attorney will not have the in-depth understanding that our federal employment lawyers possess.
Request a case evaluation online or call (800) 801-0598 today for help with your discrimination case.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Discrimination Cases
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency designed to enforce federal laws regarding discrimination in the workplace. Regarding discrimination based on a disability, our team at Pines Federal thoroughly investigates such allegations by federal agencies, helping you to determine whether or not you have a viable claim for damages and compensation, and handling claim denials.
This particular type of EEOC claim focuses specifically on discrimination in the workplace; however, Pines Federal is uniquely skilled at handling disability cases of all types, and we are ready to aggressively pursue your claim.
What Kinds of Discrimination Are Illegal?
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlaws several forms of discrimination, including religious discrimination, racial discrimination, and gender-based discrimination.
Since 1964, the federal government has passed several other key anti-discrimination laws, like the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. These laws have expanded the kinds of discrimination that are illegal.
The characteristics or “bases” that are protected under federal law include:
- Religion,
- Physical disability,
- Color,
- Mental disability,
- Age (if you are 40 or over),
- Sex (including pregnancy and gender identity),
- Sexual orientation
- National origin,
- Race, and
- Genetic information.
The law protects from discrimination those who report violations of any anti-discrimination law. This means that your employer cannot retaliate against you for filing a report about discriminatory conduct.
But what about other forms of discrimination? If discrimination is not based on one of these characteristics, it may be acceptable. For instance, it is not illegal for a New York business to refuse to hire someone because they are a fan of the Boston Red Sox. If you are experiencing discrimination and are not sure whether it is illegal, come speak with one of our federal discrimination lawyers today.
Featured Case Result
WHAT HAPPENED: FAA client who were religiously discriminated against for hanging their menorah decorations prevailed in hearing. The judge ruled the agency failed to accommodate the Client’s religion and awarded the client compensatory damages as well as attorney fees.
What Does Discrimination Look Like?
As any one of our federal employment discrimination lawyers could tell you, discrimination takes many forms. The first one is disparate treatment. Another common one is harassment. Disparate treatment happens when an employee gets less favorable treatment than someone else due to things like their age, sex, or race.
Harassment is another major form of workplace discrimination. And what does harassment mean, exactly? Harassment is unpleasant or unwanted behavior that you have to put up with at work.
A single off-color remark or awkwardly worded sentence does not rise to illegal harassment under some circumstances. However, harassing behavior that is so severe or pervasive that it fosters a hostile work environment is absolutely illegal.
Examples of harassment in the workplace include things like:
- Sexual harassment,
- Racial or sexual insults,
- Derogatory names,
- Obscene jokes,
- Threats,
- Slurs, and
- Physical attacks.
These examples are only a few more common forms of harassment. The fact is that both discrimination and harassment are usually expressed through devious and subtle acts.
If you are not sure about your case, that does not mean you should simply accept the behavior and move on. Instead, check with one of our federal employment discrimination lawyers to see how the law applies to your case.
At Our Firm, You Are Family
No one should be isolated or punished because of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. If this has happened to you, we come alongside you and walk with you through the steps necessary for defending yourself against this violation of your rights.
Our entire team at Pines Federal is dedicated to providing a completely personalized guide through:
- Walking you through the initial options offered to you, whether it be mediation or counseling.
- Filing your official complaint with the EEO office if these options are not successful.
- Providing support through the EEO’s investigation of the incident or situation.
- Representing you at your hearing.
- Following up with an appeal if necessary.
Call (800) 801-0598 or contact us online to speak to our federal employment discrimination attorneys.
Have You Been a Victim of Discrimination?
Occasionally, employers will react negatively to a disability, leading to tension and problems in your workplace. Sometimes, reporting that disability can lead to retaliation by your employer.
If you have found yourself in this difficult situation, bring your case to Pines Federal. Our federal employment discrimination attorneys have decades of combined experience navigating the complicated federal employment laws. Let us help you bring your case before the EEO.
As a federal employee, you only have 45 days from the date of the last discriminatory act to file a complaint. We move quickly to keep your claim within the appropriate time frame, giving you the best possible chance at the best possible results.
Featured Case Result
We obtained a $150,000 compensatory damages decision for a nurse who was subjected to a hostile work environment based on sex. At the hearing, the Judge found the Agency turned a blind eye to the nurse’s complaints. – Read more client success stories…
How Can a Federal Employee Discrimination Attorney Help Me?
People get all kinds of wrong ideas about hiring an attorney. One of these misunderstandings is underestimating exactly how important it is to have a federal employment discrimination law firm represent you. Here are three significant ways one of our federal employment discrimination lawyers can help you.
- An attorney can help you understand your legal options and how the law applies to your situation. Before anything else, you need to understand where you stand and what options you have for the path ahead.
- An attorney can help you get full compensation for your losses. Whether your losses from discriminatory behavior are serious or relatively minor, a qualified attorney can help you recover what you need to put your life back together.
- An attorney can obtain the information you need to prove your case. Discrimination can be hard to pin down, so obtaining key witness statements, management documents, and confidential communications is vital.
Partnering with our federal employment law firm can protect you as the employee in many ways, including:
- We file the complaint for you, ensuring that it is properly completed.
- We present the complaint in a way that alleges the proper discriminatory characteristic or bases of discrimination.
- We make sure all responsible parties are identified, the dates are properly documented, and we collect witnesses.
- We skillfully present a proposed remedy to the problem.
- We are also able to compose a follow-up letter if your complaint is dismissed.
Case Litigation
If your complaint is accepted, representatives from the EEO will interview you and your employer and request documents or conduct other interviews. Our Houston federal employment law firm can thoroughly prepare you for the interview, as detailed questions will be asked. Using our experience, we provide you with the relevant documents to support your claim. In some cases, the agency may recommend mediation or ask the parties to resolve the matter.
Seeking Damages for Discrimination
As your federal employee attorney, we can advise you as to the type of damages you may be entitled to upon our initial review of your case. Commonly, damages collected include lost wages, compensation for emotional distress, getting your job back, or collecting benefits lost due to the discrimination.
Each case is unique, and we bring our own unique voice to your defense. Rest assured knowing that, with our 60+ years of collective experience, we can make sure you proceed correctly and effectively through your claim. Schedule your initial case review with our federal employment discrimination legal team at Pines Federal today.
What If My Claim Is Denied?
If the EEOC determines it will not pursue or litigate the matter, it will issue a Notice of Right to Sue letter. This letter will be issued at least 180 days after the EEO investigation began.
You will need this letter before pursuing a cause of action in district court to show that you exhausted your administrative remedies. You do not need a letter to pursue a private cause of action if your allegations concern sexual harassment or is under the ADA or Equal Pay Act.
Our EEO disability lawyers at Pines Federal litigate viable claims before the EEOC or in federal court, including the taking of depositions, preparing document requests, submitting interrogatories, and responding to them, as well as engaging in mediation and negotiated settlements.
Bring your case to us and we can walk you through an honest evaluation of your case. We serve Houston, as well as employees nationwide. Pines Federal’s experience is on your side.
Don’t fight alone. Contact us online or call (800) 801-0598 today!
