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 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 given different wages. Also, discrimination can be proven if the employer in Federal Way is only hiring or issuing promotions based on one gender. A claim will also succeed if the employer retaliates against workers who seek relief for discrimination.
When is Sexual Harassment Prohibited?
Sexual harassment includes any unwanted sexual behavior, whether verbal or physical, directed at the victim. Employers in Federal Way might also be liable for the behavior, even when the conduct was done by an employee's co-worker.
Washington employers may also be liable for allowing conduct to lead to a work environment that is overly sexual. It is normally somewhat hard to prove gender discrimination if you don't have an attorney, because certain aspects such as proving intent can be complex. Pursuing a claim also involves following procedures, many of which can be detailed.