The Civil Rights Act of 1963 and the Equal Pay Act prohibit employers in Florida against discriminating on the basis of gender. Consequently employers cannot use sex or gender as a basis for determinations regarding wages, hiring policies, or promotion policies. 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 can be proven if men and women both work in the same place, do the same job, but are nevertheless paid differently. Discrimination claims in Punta Gorda can be shown where the employer only hires one gender, promotes employees on the basis of gender, or acts in retaliation against a worker who has complained of employer misconduct.

When is Sexual Harassment Prohibited?

Sexual harassment consists of all unwanted conduct of a sexual nature directed towards the victim, and includes both physical and verbal acts. An employer in Punta Gorda might also possibly be held liable for inappropriate behavior that was conducted by an employee's co-worker.

Florida employers might also be liable for permitting conduct to lead to a work environment that is overly sexual. 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.