The Civil Rights Act of 1963 and the Equal Pay Act prohibit employers in Georgia 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 is proven when both men and women do the same type of work in the same job and yet are paid different wages. Discrimination claims in Forsyth 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?

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

Georgia employers who allow conduct to produce an overly sexual work atmosphere may also be held liable for sexual harassment. Without a lawyer, it can be difficult to prove gender discrimination because the details in proving intent are often complicated. Also, there can be specific procedures that must be closely followed in pursuing a claim.