Gender discrimination is referred to as sex discrimination by the U.S Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC). Title VII of the Civil Rights Act is the Federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in employment and includes protection from discrimination based on gender identity. But, Title VII does not apply to all employers or all workers. If you are not covered by Title VII, your state laws may or may not offer protection from gender discrimination, depending on the circumstances in your case.
What is Gender Discrimination?
Gender or sex discrimination can include many things, some more obvious than others. Gender discrimination can happen to both male and female employees. Gender discrimination includes:
- Lower pay or fewer promotions or opportunities offered to employee or employees of one gender than the other, when all else is equal such as work performed or qualifications
- Disciplinary action against employee or employees of one gender but not the other for the same “infractions”
- Discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth or related medical issues
- Sexual harassment – verbal or physical harassment that is sexual in nature, such as unwanted advances or requests for sexual favors
- Harassment such as offensive remarks about a person’s gender, that are not sexual in nature
- Employment policy or practice that negatively affects people of a certain gender and is not job-related or necessary to the business, even if it applies to everyone
To learn more about gender discrimination and your legal rights, please contact us to be connected with a qualified employment lawyer in your state.