Defending Your Human Rights
If you've suffered discrimination, harassment, hostile work environment, whistle blower, abuse or retaliation at work or at some other institution such as a school or professional office, you have rights, and you have legal options for enforcing those rights.
At Villaume & Schiek, P.A., in Bloomington, Minnesota, our attorneys help the victims of these harmful practices pursue justice through private lawsuits, administrative action and more. Contact us to schedule a free initial consultation about your concerns.
Responding to Mistreatment at Work
Under federal and state anti-discrimination laws, you have a right to be free of discrimination at work based on your membership in a “protected class.” Acts of discrimination can include refusing to hire, firing, laying off, failing to promote, failing to equitably pay or unfairly disciplining. Among the protected classes are groups defined by the following personal characteristics:
- Race
- Religion
- Sex or gender
- Sexual orientation
- Age
- Disability status
- National origin
- Marital status
- Financial status
Harassment may also be considered a form of employment discrimination. Harassment is any conduct that oppresses, persecutes, intimidates or threatens a person or group of people. One form of harassment is the creation of a hostile work environment for certain people. Another form of harassment is “quid pro quo” sexual harassment.
Retaliation is a closely related topic. Your employer cannot retaliate against you for reporting or complaining about alleged discrimination, harassment or abuse or for acting as a whistleblower if you believe your employer has done something illegal.
There are a number of ways to handle discrimination, harassment and retaliation cases. Our lawyers have the experience to assist you in filing a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and/or filing a private lawsuit if necessary.
Contact us for innovative legal help with any discrimination, harassment, retaliation or abuse issue. You can contact us online, or call us at 952-232-1886 or toll-free at 866-719-3452.
Helping You Overcome Abuse
If the conduct you have suffered at work, at school or at the hands of a professional service provider rises to the level of abuse, you may be entitled to pursue a number of legal remedies.
Abuse, generally, is physical, sexual or psychological conduct that causes severe damage and irreparable harm. Depending on your preferred course of action, we can help you sue the responsible party, refer the matter to law enforcement, make a report to a licensing agency and/or file a human rights complaint.
