If you are a delivery driver, you may find your work a bit stressful at times. You go to work, you do the job, and then you depend on your paycheck to take care of business and to cover your living expenses.
While being a delivery driver involves you interacting with a variety of people, your employer has the responsibility of ensuring that you are treated fairly and respectfully and that you do not have a hostile work environment.
If you are subjected to workplace discrimination as a delivery driver, you can pursue a claim against your employer to recover compensation for your losses.
How A Delivery Driver May Suffer Workplace Discrimination
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) protects workers across the country from discrimination and harassment and is designed to ensure that all workers are paid properly and treated fairly.
There are many ways that discrimination takes place. While sometimes discrimination is obvious, there are situations in which it may be more discreet. Just one situation is most likely not going to lead to a successful discrimination claim, but if there is a recurring pattern and the discrimination has continued, you can successfully win your claim against your employer.
As a delivery driver, you may suffer discrimination because of your gender, your race, your religion, your sexual orientation, or for many other reasons.
As an example, you were told by your manager that you could not travel a specific route because people there would not be fond of someone of your color.
Another example would be if you were told you could not have that job because although you are qualified, women are weak, and you could not lift the packages. Both these are two examples of how a delivery driver may suffer workplace discrimination.
Filing A Claim For Discrimination As A Delivery Driver
If you have suffered discrimination as a delivery driver, you will need to get a claim underway. You should familiarize yourself with the state and federal laws that apply to your situation and understand the proper protocol for getting your claim underway in a timely and efficient manner.
You will need to gather supporting evidence and documentation that prove you suffered from discrimination as a delivery driver. You must have evidence to support your claim and to help you recover your damages.
Your first step will be to tell your employer about the situation by either speaking with a manager or with human resources. You will need to provide copies of any evidence that you have gathered.
Also, maintain proof that you notified your employer and document their response. Keep any correspondence that they give you, and be sure to maintain a paper trail that will help you throughout the claims process and that will detail what happened and how you chose to proceed with your claim.
You will need your employment contract or agreement, your employee handbook, copies of any digital evidence such as photos, texts, or emails that apply, and statements from any witnesses.
The more evidence that you can provide, the stronger your claim will be. If your employer does not take your claim seriously, or if you cannot reach an amicable settlement, you will need to take the next step and file your claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
The EEOC will investigate your claim and talk with your employer. If they determine the discrimination was intentional and a blatant disregard of the law, or if they cannot reach a settlement with your employer, they will suggest you take the next step and advance your claim to a discrimination lawsuit against your employer.
An employment law attorney can help you with the claims process.
Get a Free Case Evaluation
If you have been the victim of discrimination as a delivery driver, you should enlist the help of an employment law attorney in your area.
Employment law attorneys are familiar with the state and federal laws that apply to discrimination in the workplace. Your lawyer will help you gather supporting evidence and documentation and will work to ensure your rights are protected and that you are treated fairly.
While some employment law attorneys require payment to be made upfront, there are attorneys who will take discrimination cases on a contingency basis, which means that you will not pay your lawyer until you win your claim and recoup compensation.
Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form to share the details of your discrimination claim with a lawyer today.
