Workplace discrimination against transgender people violates Virginia law, even if the landscape of federal law is becoming muddied. If you have been a victim, it’s important to speak to a Virginia transgender discrimination lawyer as soon as possible.
Understanding Your Rights at Work
Virginia laws prohibit employers from discriminating against you because of your gender identity, gender transition, sex assigned at birth, or transgender status. These rights are not affected by changes in federal law or changes in the enforcement priorities of federal administrations. Virginia laws prevent employers from refusing to hire, firing, harassing, or otherwise discriminating against you because of your transgender status.
What to Do About Discrimination
If you are experiencing discrimination in the workplace, it’s important to speak to someone and protect yourself. Your first step should be to try and resolve the issue internally with the company’s complaint process. Read your company’s equal employment opportunity procedures and see if they expressly cover gender identity. Even if they don’t, you can still file an internal complaint.
Filing an EEOC Complaint
Filing a charge of discrimination with the EEOC can protect your legal rights. Your EEOC charge can be cross-filed with the Virginia Attorney General to trigger state law protection. These claims can make discrimination stop or prevent the same thing from happening to others. They may also result in monetary remedies. These charges can also lead to policy changes, staff discipline, and institute training to improve the company.
Hiring a Virginia Transgender Discrimination Lawyer
If you have filed an EEOC charge or Virginia Attorney General charge and received a closure letter or Right-to-Sue letter, you can file a lawsuit. To do so, it’s important to have a Virginia transgender discrimination lawyer help you with this process. Hiring an attorney ensures that you have the proper documentation, follow the correct procedures, and meet the necessary deadlines.
If you are in need of an attorney’s advice, please contact Cook, Craig, and Francuzenko today. Our firm has attorneys who specialize in a variety of practice areas. With over 100 years of combined experience, we are seasoned professionals ready to help you.
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