Discrimination based on gender is prohibited for employers in Washington according to the Civil Rights Act of 1963, as well as 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 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?

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. Employers in Bremerton 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?

Sexual harassment includes any unwanted sexual behavior, whether verbal or physical, directed at the victim. A Bremerton employer could be held liable for the unwelcome conduct, even if it was an employee's co-worker who engaged in the sexual harassment.

A Washington employer could also be liable for harassment if they allow conduct to lead to an environment that is overly sexual. Gender discrimination is usually 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.