How to Handle a Complaint of Discrimination

Author: William Denham, Shortt & Nguyen, PC.

Federal, state and local laws prohibit discrimination based on a wide range of characteristics, including (for example) age, pregnancy, religion, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, color, creed, sexual orientation and national origin. These laws likewise impose a number of serious penalties on employers who fail to follow these prohibitions. Thus, prudent employers should take claims of discrimination in the workplace seriously.

This article outlines what every covered employer should do when handling any type of complaint of discrimination. In short, employers should promptly, fairly and thoroughly investigate all claims of discrimination - and document their efforts in doing so.