Passionate Fighters Against Workplace Discrimination
Experiencing discrimination at work is an injustice that no one should have to face. Whether you’ve been treated unfairly because of your race, age, or another protected characteristic, you have the right to stand up against discrimination. If you believe you have an actionable claim, our experienced attorneys can help you pursue justice.
At Colorado Employee Advocates, we care passionately about protecting the rights of employees in the Denver area and elsewhere throughout Colorado. Our team is dedicated to upholding your best interests and ensuring that your employer respects your rights. Having handled numerous high-profile cases and recovered millions of dollars in compensation, we have what it takes to help you.
What Is Workplace Discrimination?
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) identifies six categories protected from employment discrimination:
- Race or color
- Age (40 and over)
- Gender, including sexual harassment
- Religion
- Nation of origin
- Disability
Unfortunately, many instances of discrimination do happen to workers in these categories. Some of the most common examples that we see include:
- Refusing to interview
- Refusing to hire
- Refusing to promote
- Making offensive comments
- Posting offensive materials
- Wrongful firing
- Retaliating for reporting discrimination
If you believe that you have experienced any of the aforementioned examples, try to document your experiences as thoroughly as you can. Report the instances to your superior and continue to escalate the matter if your employer does not take immediate action to halt it. If these methods do not work, contact an employment law attorney immediately.
What Constitutes Age Discrimination?
Discrimination can manifest in a variety of ways. If any of these situations have happened to you, then you might be a victim of age discrimination:
- Not getting hired or chosen for a promotion because of your age
- Wrongful termination based on age, including layoffs
- Unequal pay structure based on age
- Being denied participation in training or health programs
- Jokes or harassment about age
- A potential employer inquiring about your age
- A career posting or advertisement specifying an age limitation (unless it is a requirement to qualify for the role)
One of the most common cases we see is wrongful termination based on age. Often, employers incorrectly (and illegally) assume that “older” employees are too expensive, too difficult to train, or subject to leave as soon as a better opportunity comes along. While it may be fair to assume that about an individual, when that perception is based solely on the person’s age, it is not legal.
What Laws Protect My Rights?
Both federal and Colorado laws give employees strong protection against unfair treatment based on race, color, age, and other protected traits. Knowing these laws can help you understand when your rights may have been violated and what steps you can take to respond.
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: This federal law bars employers from treating workers differently because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
- Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-34-402: This state law forbids employers from using unfair or discriminatory practices in hiring, promotion, discipline, or termination. It also covers retaliation for reporting discrimination.
- Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA): CADA applies to most Colorado employers, even smaller ones not covered by federal law. It protects workers from discrimination based on race, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other personal traits.
- Job Protection and Civil Rights Enforcement Act of 2015: This law updated Colorado’s anti-discrimination rules to give employees broader rights and hold employers more accountable for unlawful actions.
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA): A federal law that shields employees aged 40 and older from unfair treatment in hiring, pay, benefits, and employment decisions.
- Colorado Age Discrimination Protections: Colorado law goes further by allowing anyone over 40 to file an age discrimination claim. It also gives workers in businesses with fewer than 15 employees the right to take legal action if they experience age-based bias or wrongful termination.
Understanding these protections is an important step in defending your rights at work. If you believe your employer has broken these laws, you should talk with a knowledgeable employment attorney. A lawyer can review your situation, explain your options, and guide you through the process of filing a claim.
Discuss Your Rights With A Discrimination Attorney
The sooner you get in touch with Colorado Employee Advocates, the sooner we can take the steps necessary to put an end to the unjust treatment you are receiving. To reach us for an appointment, please call 720-759-2795 or send us an email.