Hollywood Gender Discrimination Lawyer Asserts Your Right to Fair Treatment

Skilled attorney advocates for Florida victims of unlawful workplace practices based on sex

One of the core concepts of American society is the commitment to equal treatment of individuals regardless of outward characteristics or outmoded stereotypes. For this reason, the U.S. Congress and the Florida legislature have enacted protections that prohibit employers from treating workers differently based on their sex or gender. If you have suffered unfair treatment from an employer because of your sex/gender, the Law Offices of James Jean-Francois, P.A. in Hollywood is prepared to help. For almost two decades I have provided aggressive representation for mistreated workers. If your rights have been violated, you can trust me to fight tirelessly for the relief and justice you deserve.

How U.S. and Florida law define sex and gender discrimination

The federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 use the word “sex” to describe the type of discrimination that is unlawful. Therefore, it is illegal to treat a woman or man differently in the workplace simply because of their gender with regard to hiring, promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, pay and benefits. Although the laws use the word “sex,” other courts including the Supreme Court of the United States have used the term “gender” as a synonym for a person’s biological sex.

The CRA and the FCRA protect workers from disparate treatment. They prohibit employers from basing employment decisions on sexual stereotypes rather than an individual worker’s’ ability to do the job. These laws also protect male and female workers from two types of sexual harassment:

• Quid pro quo harassment — A superior rewards or punishes a subordinate based on his or her acceptance or rejection of sexual advances.
• Hostile work environment —This involves workplace conditions that are so charged with sexual talk or behavior that the worker cannot reasonably do his or her job.

In addition, the Equal Pay Act of 1963 prohibits employers from paying one employee less than another of the opposite sex for equal work. A violation of this act can be shown by proving two elements:

• The employer pays different compensation to employees of the opposite sex for equal work.
• These jobs require equal skill, effort, and responsibility and are performed under similar working conditions.

If you have been the victim of sexual harassment or unequal pay, an experienced employment law attorney can advise you of your rights.

Proven advocate seeks remedies for victims of sex discrimination

In my practice, I thoroughly investigate these types of allegations to uncover evidence of unlawful employer conduct. I advise my clients of their rights and assist them in filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of the Florida Commission on Human Relations. I work tirelessly to deliver the justice my clients deserve, which can include:

• Monetary damages for lost wages and pain and suffering
• Reinstatement after a wrongful termination
• Promotion or pay increase that was wrongly denied

Proving a case of sexual harassment or unequal pay can be complex. For example, a victim of sexual harassment must document the offensive conduct and demonstrate the company was aware (or should have known) what was going on, but did nothing about it. For this reason, it’s important to consult an employment law attorney early to firmly establish your case before taking action.

While Florida law does not currently prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, the state legislature is considering legislation to address LGTBQ issues.

Contact my Hollywood office for a free consultation on sex/gender discrimination

The Law Offices of James Jean-Francois, P.A. provides employment law representation for workers who have faced sex discrimination in the Hollywood area. To schedule a free consultation, call 954-780-8505 or contact my office online. My Hollywood office is conveniently located at 6100 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 211, between Florida’s Turnpike and South State Road 7.