The Civil Rights Act of 1963 and the Equal Pay Act prohibit employers in Colorado from discriminating on the basis of gender. Accordingly, gender may not be the basis for any employer decisions regarding pay, hiring policies, or promotion requirements. 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?

Under the Equal Pay act, discrimination can be proven if men and women both work in the same place, do the same job, but are nevertheless paid differently. Employers in Salida 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?

Any unwelcome sexual behavior directed at the victim, including physical or verbal acts, is considered to be sexual harassment. A Salida employer could be held liable for the unwelcome conduct, even if it was an employee's co-worker who engaged in the sexual harassment.

Colorado employers can also be held liable for sexual harassment if it allows conduct that leads to an overly sexual work environment. It is usually somewhat difficult to prove gender discrimination if you don't have an attorney, because certain aspects such as proving intent can be complex. Pursuing a claim also involves following procedures, many of which can be detailed.