For over fifty (50) years, certain kinds of employment discrimination have been illegal in the United States. That all started with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which outlawed discrimination by an employer in the terms and conditions of employment on the basis of an employee’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Years later, additional laws were added that ban employment discrimination based on physical or mental disability, reprisal (ratting out your employer), and sexual orientation. Each basis that employers cannot use to discriminate on is called a “protected class,” and the term “Title VII” refers to the federal law containing the rules against employment discrimination. Title VII also creates a federal agency, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“the EEOC”) that enforces federal employment laws including Title VII.
Not all employers and employees are covered by Title VII, and most states, including Texas, have their own laws which also prohibiting many of the same types of employment discrimination that Title VII outlaws. Texas also has its own governmental agency, the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division, that enforces Texas employment laws including employment discrimination. The particular facts and circumstances of each case are critical, so please call Lewis Coppedge at (806) 350-7533 to see if your situation qualifies for legal relief.
Race Discrimination
Title VII protects you from discrimination at work because of your race, religion, color set, or national origin. This includes discrimination concerning achieving promotions, compensation, termination, or any other condition such as job training.
Sex Discrimination
Texas and Federal Law including Title VII of the United States Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination in any aspect of your employment because of your race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability. This includes available promotions, training, job assignments and any other condition of your employment. You are also protected from being harassed or subjected to unwelcome personal advances or requests for sexual favors. Harassment becomes illegal when it occurs frequently or severe enough that it results in a hostile work environment.
