Boilermakers have difficult jobs that involve fabricating steel, iron, or copper into large containers or boilers that hold hot gas or liquid. To be a boilermaker, you must be experienced, and you must have gone extensive training. Just like any other profession, boilermakers depend on their paychecks to cover living expenses.
Both men and women are boilermakers, and if you are a boilermaker who has suffered workplace discrimination, you do have rights and resources available.
How a Boilermaker May Suffer Workplace Discrimination
Workplace discrimination happens when an applicant or an employee is treated unfavorably because of skin color, gender, race, national origin, religion, age, or disability. Federal laws make it illegal to discriminate based on national origin, religion, gender, or race in the workplace. As an example, if you are well-qualified, experienced female boilermaker, you cannot be skipped over for a promotion, turned down for a job, or paid at a lower rate just because of your gender.
Sexual discrimination is prohibited. As an example, if inappropriate comments are made about your gender, then you have suffered workplace sexual discrimination. Anytime you are discriminated against, you should tell the person acting inappropriately to stop, and you should immediately report the incident to your employer by notifying a supervisor and/or human resources.
Maintain evidence and documentation and keep proof that you complained about the incident. Also, be sure to keep proof of your employer’s response. If it is not taken seriously, or if your claim is not addressed, you can go ahead and advance your claim to a higher level.
Examples of How Workplace Discrimination Can Occur
You are the only female boilermaker working for the company. You find out that despite your experience and seniority, you are being paid less than men who are hired into the job role.
You address the situation with a supervisor, who responds with the comment that men must support their families, so they should be paid more money. This is clearly an example of being the victim of discrimination in the workplace because of your gender in your job role.
Filing a Discrimination Claim as a Boilermaker
If you are a boilermaker who has suffered discrimination in the workplace, you may be able to pursue a claim against your employer. If your employer fails to correct the problem, you do have rights and resources.
By pursuing a claim, you are also helping others from facing the same kind of mistreatment. Odds are that the behavior you suffered has become a pattern at that place of employment and it should be promptly and adequately addressed.
As a boilermaker who has been discriminated against, you will start your claim within your place of employment by notifying human resources and a manager. Be sure to keep documentation and a paper trail to support your claim and to show the response. If you are a member of a union, as many boilermakers are, you should speak with your union representative as they may be able to help you maneuver the process.
If the matter is not resolved with your employer, you will advance with the claim to the EEOC or Labor Board. They will investigate the claim and they will work with your employer to resolve the matter. If the matter does not get resolved, the final step will be to file a lawsuit against your employer and to ask for compensation to cover your damages that resulted from the discrimination.
In this case, you would need to prove how you were treated differently from other boilermakers. Provide employment contracts, paystubs, timecards, emails, texts, memos, and any digital proof of the discrimination.
Also, try to prove there is a pattern of discrimination with that employer. Witness statements and comments from coworkers and former employees who are familiar with your incident or similar incidents could build your case.
Help With Your Discrimination Claim
If you are a boilermaker who has suffered from discrimination in the workplace, you may want to enlist the help of an experienced employment law attorney who represents clients in your area. Workplace discrimination is a complex matter, so make sure you retain a lawyer who is familiar with the state and federal laws that apply to your situation.
Time to pursue a claim is limited, so gather all your supporting evidence, and get a Free Case Evaluation today. Talk with your lawyer about the payment options as some attorneys work on a contingency basis and others require a payment upfront. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form to share the details of your discrimination as a boilermaker.
