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 can not use make any determinations based on gender in any areas such as wage amounts, hiring, and promotion policies. They are also required to ensure that working conditions are not hostile toward any one gender and that the environment is not overtly sexual.

What Must be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?

Discrimination happens according to the Equal Pay Act if both men and women are working in the same job and performing the same tasks, yet receive different wages. A discrimination claim may also succeed when employers in Stillwater hire only one particular gender, issues promotions based on gender, or retaliates against persons who seek relief for employer misconduct.

When is Sexual Harassment Prohibited?

Physical or verbal acts of a sexual nature that are unwelcome to the victim are regarded to be sexual harassment. A Stillwater employer might be held liable for the unwelcome conduct, even if it was an employee's co-worker who engaged in the sexual harassment.

Oklahoma employers may also be held liable for sexual harassment if it permits conduct that leads to an overly sexual work environment. It can be hard to prove gender discrimination without first obtaining a lawyer, since specifics such as proving intent can often be complicated. There might also be procedures that must be followed in detail when one pursues a claim.