Discrimination Attorneys in Colorado

Discrimination attorneys in Colorado help people deal with workplace discrimination prohibited by state and federal law. Employment discrimination is an unlawful act only when it is motivated by a discriminatory animus against a protected class. Protected classes are those described by federal and Colorado anti-discrimination laws. Discrimination, by harassment or wrongful termination, is not unlawful when an employer’s motivation is not a protected class. Even if the employer’s action is unfair, unreasonable, mean, or otherwise a disgusting employment act–it is still not an unlawful form of employment discrimination unless it is motivated by your inclusion in a protected class. If you suffer unlawful employment discrimination then you should talk to discrimination attorneys in Colorado right away.

Employment discrimination laws in Colorado

Employment discrimination laws define the types of acts prohibited and against what classes of workers they are prohibited. A claim for employment discrimination generally must put together a prohibited, adverse employment act with a motivation against the worker’s protected classification. An otherwise prohibited adverse employment act without an unlawful motivation or an unlawful motivation without an adverse employment act generally will not create a claim for unlawful employment discrimination.

Adverse employment actions under employment discrimination laws generally include:

• Termination
• Demotion
• Failure to promote
• Failure to hire
• Removal of job duties
• Transfers to less prestigious positions or locations
• Pay reductions
• Hostile work environment

The adverse employment act must be motivated by a discriminatory animus prohibited by federal or Colorado law.

Protected classes under employment discrimination law

Federal and Colorado employment laws protect specific classes from employment discrimination. There is a lot of overlap between federal and state law; however, state law protects a broader group of employees overall. Protected classes in Colorado include:

• Race
• Religion
• Sex
• Gender
• Sexual orientation
• Transgender
• Disability
• National origin
• Age (over forty)

Note that some protected classes apply to all workers. For example, sex is a protected class regardless of whether the employee is a man or woman. The issue for an employment discrimination attorney is whether the employer discriminated on the basis of the employee’s sex. Others only apply to specific workers. For example, age discrimination laws prohibit employers from treating employees over forty less favorably than younger workers. An employer can lawfully discriminate on the basis of age in favor of older workers.

Employment Discrimination Attorneys in Colorado

Discrimination attorneys in Colorado help clients pursue these claims. Employment discrimination claims often must follow specific procedures before filing a lawsuit. Failure to timely satisfy these procedures can bar a lawsuit in federal or Colorado courts. If you believe your employer discriminated against you then you should talk to discrimination attorneys in Colorado right away. Many employment discrimination claims require you to act within a short window of time. The sooner you talk to an attorney the sooner you can act to protect your claim.