What Type of Conduct is Prohibited in Montana?
Montana employers must abide by the Civil Rights Act of 1963 and the Equal Pay Act, both of which prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender. Accordingly, employers may not take sex into account when they determine pay, hire new workers, or promote within the company. They are also required to make sure that the working environment is neither hostile to a specific gender nor overtly sexual.
What Must be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?
Under the Equal Pay Act, discrimination is proven when both men and women do the same type of work in the same job and yet are given different wages. Also, discrimination can be proven if the employer in Laurel is only hiring or issuing promotions based on one gender. A claim will also succeed if the employer retaliates against workers who seek relief for discrimination.
When is Sexual Harassment Prohibited?
Any unwelcome sexual behavior directed at the victim, including physical or verbal acts, is considered to be sexual harassment. An employer in Laurel could also potentially be held liable for inappropriate behavior that was conducted by an employee's co-worker.
Montana employers who allow conduct to produce an overly sexual work atmosphere might also be held liable for sexual harassment. The specific details for proving intent to discrimination can be complicated, and so gender discrimination might be difficult to prove without an attorney. The procedures for filing can also be complex.
