In Pennsylvania, discrimination by employers that is based on gender is prohibited by the Civil Rights Act of 1963 and the Equal Pay Act. Accordingly, employers may not take sex into account when they determine pay, hire new workers, or promote within the company. They must also make sure that working environments will not be hostile towards a particular gender and that the work atmosphere is not overly sexual.
What Must be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?
The Equal Pay Act allows discrimination to be proven if it can be shown that both men and women work for the same employer doing the same tasks, and yet are paid differently. Furthermore, a claim may prevail if an employer in Norristown hires only one gender, promotes workers because of their gender, or retaliates against those seeking relief for this misconduct.
When is Sexual Harassment Prohibited?
Sexual harassment encompasses any unwelcome or unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that is directed at the victim, whether it is physical or verbal. Employers in Norristown might be held liable for the sexual harassment, even when it was a co-worker who really engaged in the conduct.
If the employer allows conduct to create an overly sexual work environment, they might be held liable for sexual harassment in Pennsylvania. 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.