Lancaster Employment Discrimination Lawyer

Pennsylvania workers deserve to be treated fairly by their employers. They should not face discrimination in the workplace. If you are the victim of employer discrimination in Lancaster, PA, we want to help.

Our Lancaster employment discrimination lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates stand with employees who face discrimination at work. We are award-winning, top-rated attorneys who fight for the rights of our clients. Our attorneys have over 120 years of legal experience. 

We use our considerable resources, extensive skills, and vast experience to advocate for you. Contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation with one of our Lancaster employment discrimination attorneys. Your first case evaluation is 100% free, so call now at (717) 616-2954.

How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help if You Are Experiencing Employment Discrimination 

Our Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers have an in-depth understanding of state and federal employment laws. We use our knowledge to argue for fair treatment for employees in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Our legal team at Marzzacco Niven & Associates fiercely fights to protect the legal rights of victims of workplace discrimination. 

We are recognized nationally and locally by numerous organizations for the legal services our lawyers provide to clients. The Best Lawyers in America, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates, National Trial Lawyers, and SuperLawyers have recognized attorneys at Marzzacco Niven & Associates. US News & World Report recognized us as one of the “Best Law Firms.”

The legal team at Marzzacco Niven & Associates takes your case seriously. When we represent you in an employment matter, our lawyers can:

  • Analyze your case and evaluate your legal options under state and federal employment laws
  • Explain your options to you and why we recommend a specific strategy
  • Investigate your claim and gather evidence of employment discrimination 
  • Complete all paperwork and handle filing all documents with the appropriate state and federal agencies
  • Work to protect you from employer retaliation and further discrimination
  • File a lawsuit and argue the matter in court, if necessary

Your employer needs to be held responsible for the unfair treatment you received. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation with a Lancaster employment discrimination lawyer.

Employers have a duty to provide a safe environment for their employees. Discrimination by the employer and co-workers creates a hostile work environment. 

Employment discrimination occurs at all employment levels, including during the hiring process. Depending on the specific facts of your case, one or more federal and Pennsylvania employment discrimination laws could apply.

Examples of employment discrimination include, but are not limited to:

  • Classifying and segregating employees 
  • Using biased recruitment and hiring practices
  • Limiting job opportunities, promotions, or training 
  • Refusing to hire someone 
  • Mandating a dress code
  • Sexual harassment
  • Intentional harassment and 
  • Applying different disciplinary actions for the same conduct
  • Paying different benefits and compensation 
  • Terminating or demoting an employee
  • Denying job opportunities because an employee is married or involved with someone

If an employer takes any of the above actions based on a protected class, the action could violate one or more federal and state anti-discrimination laws. Examples of laws that protect workers from employment discrimination include:

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

The EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) enforces laws against workplace discrimination, including the Civil Rights Act. Title VII of the Act protects workers and job applicants from employment discrimination based on the following:

  • Sex
  • Race
  • National Origin
  • Religion
  • Color

Title VII applies to employers who have 15 or more employees. The law prohibits intentional discrimination. In addition, it applies to any practices that appear impartial but have the same effect as intentional discrimination of a protected class.

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA)

The PHRA is similar to federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on protected classes. However, it expands the protected classes to include additional groups than Title VII.

The PHRA prohibits employers from discrimination based on a person’s:

  • Sex
  • Race
  • Ancestry
  • Color
  • Handicap or disability
  • Religion
  • National origin
  • The use of a support animal because of a physical impairment, blindness, or deafness
  • Age 

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) enforces the law in the state. The law applies to employers with four or more employees. 

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

The ADA is a federal law that prohibits employers from discriminating based on a person’s disability. Employers with 15 or more employees are subject to the law. The Act covers numerous disabilities and conditions.

In some cases, an employer is required to make accommodations for employees with disabilities. However, the accommodations must be reasonable so that they do not create an undue hardship for the employer. 

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA)

The ADEA is also a federal law that prohibits employers from discriminating against job applicants and employees based on age. Employers with 20 or more employees are subject to the law. The Act applies to individuals 40 years and older. 

Marzzacco Niven & Associates Represents Clients in All Types of Employment Discrimination Claims in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Many federal and state laws protect workers from employment discrimination. Our Lancaster employment discrimination attorneys handle all types of workplace discrimination claims, including cases involving discrimination based on the following:

  • Equal pay
  • Religious beliefs
  • Whistleblower status
  • Disabilities
  • Age 
  • Sexual orientation and gender
  • Race
  • Pregnancy discrimination 
  • Wage and hour violations
  • National origin
  • Sex
  • Military service or veteran status
  • Gender identity and expression
  • Unfair employment practices
  • Medical history
  • Disparate treatment (Describes intentional discrimination by singling out a person for different treatment because they belong to a protected class.)
  • Disparate impact (In most cases, describes unintentional discrimination from employment policies that disproportionately impact members of a protected class.)

Your employment discrimination case could fall under state and federal jurisdiction. Therefore, there could be more than one law that applies to the facts of your case. 

The damages for various claims might be different. Our Lancaster employment lawyers develop a strategy that gives you the best chance of winning your case and recovering maximum compensation for your claim. 

What Damages Can I Receive for a Lancaster Employment Discrimination Claim?

The types of damages payable for a workplace discrimination case vary. The damages you might receive depend on the type of claim you file and the facts of your case. They also depend on the damages you sustained because of the discrimination. 

Examples of damages you might receive for an employment discrimination claim include:

  • Back pay and benefits
  • Reinstatement of employment
  • Out-of-pocket expenses, including costs of a job search
  • Attorney’s fees and court costs for bringing the claim
  • Expert witness fees
  • Compensation for non-economic damages, including depression, emotional distress, and anxiety
  • Retroactive seniority

Some cases may qualify for punitive damages. The damages are awarded to you, even though the damages are intended as a punishment for your employer. Our Lancaster employment discrimination lawyers pursue all available damages to maximize your recovery. 

Filing a Claim for Employment Discrimination in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Before filing a claim for workplace discrimination, it is always in your best interest to talk with a Lancaster employment lawyer. You want to ensure you file the claim that gives you the best chance of a positive outcome. You also want to ensure you follow the correct procedures for filing employment discrimination claims.

When you hire Marzzacco Niven & Associates to handle your claim, our legal team handles all aspects of your claim. We prepare the paperwork and file it with the correct agencies.

We also gather evidence proving your case. Typically, you must prove the following:

  • You are a member of a protected class;
  • Your employer knew you were a member of the protected class;
  • You sustained harm because of the discrimination; and
  • Other similarly situated employees who are not in the protected class did not experience the same harm.

The above requirements are for a disparate treatment case. Disparate treatment refers to when your employer targets you specifically with discriminatory practices.

However, proving a disparate impact discrimination case requires you to prove the following:

  • Employment practices used by your employer cause people in a protected class to be treated worse than members of another class or group;
  • There was no legitimate business purpose for your employer to engage in the employment practice; and,
  • Your employer could have achieved the same business goal using a non-discriminatory practice.

Your employer might try to blame your work performance or conduct for the discriminatory action. Our Lancaster employment attorneys are ready for this tactic. We can defend you against unjust and false allegations that try to avoid liability for employment discrimination.

What Are the Deadlines for Filing Employment Discrimination claims in Pennsylvania?

The deadline for filing claims of employment discrimination depends on the type of claim you file. 

For example, Pennsylvania state law requires you to file a discrimination claim within 180 days. The EEOC typically has a 180-day deadline, but the deadline can be extended to 300 days if a Pennsylvania law also applies in your case. 

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Lancaster Employment Discrimination Lawyers

Our Lancaster employment law attorneys guide you through each step of filing a complaint for employment discrimination. We will use all of our resources to obtain justice for you. Contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates to schedule your free consultation with a trusted Lancaster employment discrimination attorney.

Visit Our Law Office in Lancaster,PA

Marzzacco Niven & Associates
2173 Embassy Dr Ste 123, Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 616-2954

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