What Type of Conduct is Prohibited in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma 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. As such, employers may not use make any determinations based on gender in any areas such as wage amounts, hiring, and promotion criteria. They are also required to ensure that working conditions are not hostile toward any one gender and that the atmosphere is not overtly sexual.
What Must be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?
Discrimination can be proven under the Equal Pay act if both men and women do the same type of work for the same employer but are nevertheless paid in different amounts. Employers in Moore will also be held liable in a discrimination claim if their hiring and promotion policies favor one gender, or if the they take retaliatory action against a worker who files a complaint against their employer.
When is Sexual Harassment Prohibited?
Sexual harassment includes any unwanted sexual behavior, whether verbal or physical, directed at the victim. Employers in Moore might also be liable for the behavior, even when the conduct was done by an employee's co-worker.
A Oklahoma employer could also be liable for harassment if they allow conduct to lead to an environment that is overly sexual. Gender discrimination is usually difficult to prove without a lawyer because the specifics of proving intent can be complicated. There are also detailed procedures that must be followed when pursuing a claim.
