In Pennsylvania, discrimination by employers that is based on gender is banned by the Civil Rights Act of 1963 and the Equal Pay Act. Therefore, employers may not take sex into account when they determine pay, hire new workers, or promote within the company. They are also required to make sure that the working environment is neither hostile to a certain 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 Birdsboro 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 encompasses all unwanted sexual behavior, whether verbal or physical, directed at the victim. Employers in Birdsboro may be held liable for the sexual harassment, even when it was a co-worker who really engaged in the conduct.

If the employer permits conduct to create an overly sexual work environment, they may be held liable for sexual harassment in Pennsylvania. Gender discrimination is normally 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.