Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against any employee because of their color, national origin, race, religion, or sex. In 2020, the Supreme Court extended those protections to cover gender identity. Gender identity includes transgender status and sexual orientation. Despite these protections, gender discrimination continues in some work places. The federal law only applies to employers with a minimum of 15 employees. State and local law may extend that requirement to employers with fewer employees. Check with a lawyer to see what your protections are under Kansas law or any relevant local ordinance.

5 Signs of Potential Gender Discrimination In The Workplace

1) You are not hired for a job for which you are undoubtedly qualified.

You are qualified in every possible way for the position you applied for with impeccable references, yet someone of the opposite sex with fewer qualifications is hired instead. For example, If you are a woman and a less or equally qualified man was hiredyou may be the victim of gender discrimination.

2) You discover you are paid less than others with your same job description.

Pay discrimination is a topic often in the news. In 2022, the Pew Research Center published a report verifying that in the U.S., women only earn an average of 82% what men earn for doing the same job. That has been true for more than 20 years. If you believe you are being paid less than the men in your company and you are performing the same work with the same experience and skill level, you should consult an employment lawyer who can investigate and determine if you have a discrimination case.

3) You are given instructions or comments made based on your sexual identity.

A woman may be told her hair is too short, or she needs to wear more feminine attire. A man might be told to cut his hair or wear more masculine attire. Either situation may be a form of discrimination due to sexual identity. These are examples of gender stereotypes which can also be a form of gender discrimination.

4) Being called names because of your sexual orientation or gender identity.

This includes being forced to hear general slurs or hostile remarks about people of a certain gender identity or sexual orientation and your employer allows these insults to continue.

5) You are demoted, pay decreased, or retaliated against for your reporting, speaking out, or taking any action against gender discrimination in your workplace.

It is illegal for your employer to retaliate against you for your speech or legal activity in informing others about any gender discrimination in your workplace. This means you can talk to your coworkers and your supervisor about the discrimination without fear of retaliation. Retaliation means firing or demoting you, cutting your pay, transferring you to a different work location, changing you from working the day shift to working the night shift, etc.

Contact An Employment Lawyer In Kansas City

If you feel you have suffered any type of gender discrimination in Kansas City, you need the help of an experienced employment attorney. Contact Dugan Schlozman LLC, Attorneys at Law. You may also reach us at 913.322.3528. We represent employees who have been treated unfairly in the hiring process and in the workplace, and we offer you a free consultation.