Employment Discrimination
by: Wyoming Legal Services - Lander Office
Employment Discrimination
Federal and Wyoming laws forbid employers from discriminating against workers becase of
- Age;
- Sex;
- Race;
- Creed;
- Color;
- National orgin;
- Ancestry; and
- Disability.
Any employer in Wyoming with more than 2 workers must follow these laws.
What are discriminatory acts?
These include:
- Refusing to hire you;
- Firing you;
- Not training you;
- Not promoting you;
- Lowering your pay;
- Harassing you
Because of the things listed above.
It is also against the law for employers to have rules that have a discriminating effect. For instance, a business won't hire workers who won't work on Sundays. But the effect is Christian workers aren't hired.
Note: An employer may discriminate if a job requires certain skills. Like, to be a firefighter you have to pass a strength test. This would prevent alot of women from being hired. But it's legal because firefighters must be able to carry people down ladders
What should you do if you are discriminated or harassed?
Keep a journal about the discrimination. Write down the date, time, place, people involved, witnesses and what happened.
The type of action you take depends on how bad the discrimination was. If co-workers are making rude jokes, telling them to stop works much of the time. If you were fired because of your race, legal action may be needed.
In all cases, you should follow the employer's rules on complaining about discrimination. If you can't solve the problem, you can turn to the Wyoming Fair Employment Practices Office. Speak to them to start a complaint. You must file a complaint within 6 months after the act of discrimination.
Note: It's against the law for you employer to fire or punish you for complaining.
Wyoming Fair Employment Practices Office contact information:
Cheyenne Office
1510 E. Pershing Blvd., Ste. 2015
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 777-7261
Fax: (307) 777-5633
Casper Office
851 Werner Ct., Suite 292
Casper, WY 82601-1308
Phone: (307) 472-3974
|
