Workplace discrimination is prohibited by state and federal laws. If you are a landscaper, you are entitled to a safe work environment that is welcoming and free from hostility.
Landscapers play an important role in ensuring that the landscaping looks its best and that the grass and other plants thrive and grow. If you are a landscaper, you are protected by state and federal laws that prevent employers from discriminating against you.
Despite the strict laws, discrimination in the workplace continues to be a problem across the country. If you experienced workplace discrimination as a landscaper, you could pursue a claim against your employer to recover compensation for your damages.
How A Landscaper May Experience Workplace Discrimination
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes discrimination against an individual based on their age (if older than 40), national origin, sex, race, religion, or color.
If an employee files a complaint against their employer for discrimination, the employer is prohibited from retaliating against the worker. Some states have additional laws prohibiting workplace discrimination.
This could include discrimination involving sexual orientation, gender identity, and other factors. There are many ways that discrimination may occur, and some forms of discrimination are more discreet than others.
A landscaper you could suffer discrimination in many ways. As an example, you may be the only Hispanic employee for a landscaping company.
There may be jokes made about your heritage, and you may be given the more difficult jobs to work because as your manager says, “you are a Mexican so you are used to hard work.”
You could be a woman who is always told “that is woman’s work when an undesirable task comes up to do.” Sometimes discrimination involves being denied promotions, seeing pay cuts, or being assigned to the less desirable jobs or shifts.
If you suspect you have been the victim of discrimination, you should start gathering documentation and evidence to support your claim.
Witness statements, photos, recordings, videos, emails, memos, text messages, and anything else that indicates you were discriminated against can be beneficial in proving your claim and helping you recoup your losses.
An employment law attorney who is knowledgeable about workplace discrimination could be beneficial to the outcome of your claim.
Filing A Discrimination Claim as a Landscaper
If you have suffered discrimination as a landscaper, you will need to familiarize yourself with the state and federal laws that apply to your situation so you can pursue a workplace discrimination claim against your employer. You should also review your employee handbook to understand company protocol.
You want to make sure everything is handled properly and according to company policy and to local laws. Usually, the first step is to notify your employer.
This would involve talking with a manager, supervisor, or human resources about the situation. You will need to provide them with copies of all documentation and evidence.
You should maintain evidence that you notified your employer and document the response. Keep all correspondence and details regarding your claim.
If the issue is not taken seriously or if you cannot get a satisfactory response, or if you cannot reach a resolution with your employer, you will take the claim to the next level.
This means that you will file a complaint with the State Labor Board or you will file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which oversees such situations and makes sure employment laws are enforced.
The State Labor Board or the EEOC will then interview you and review the evidence. They will then talk with your employer and try to reach a resolution regarding your complaint.
If they find that the discrimination was intended and willful and that there is a pattern of such behavior at your employer, they will most likely tell you to take your claim to the highest level and file a lawsuit against them.
When you sue your employer, a judge or jury will rule on your case and establish punishment.
Help With Your Discrimination Claim
Workplace discrimination claims can be challenging. You will want to make sure you have everything in order and that your claim is filed before time runs out.
An employment law attorney who handles workplace discrimination claims can be a real asset to the outcome of your case.
If you have suffered workplace discrimination as a landscaper, you should get a free case review from an employment law attorney who handles workplace discrimination claims in your area. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page.
