Workers in Louisiana have legal protection from both the state and Federal government. That means that you can’t be fired for a reason that is protected by either Federal or state laws. If you were fired for an illegal reason in Louisiana you can file a complaint against that employer for violating your employment rights.
What Is The Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law?
The Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law states that employers in Louisiana can’t discriminate against employees based on their race, gender, pregnancy status, age, veteran status, sexual identity, gender identity, disability, age, or where they were born. It doesn’t matter that Louisiana is an at-will employment state, you can’t legally be terminated for any of those reasons.
What Other Laws Protect Louisiana Workers From Wrongful Termination?
Often people are confused about what at-will employment covers and assume that at-will employment means their employer can fire them for any reason at all. At- will employment does give employers the freedom to fire employees for almost any reason, except reasons that are protected by Federal and state employment laws.
In addition to being covered by the Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law workers in Louisiana are protected by Federal laws. Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act says that no employer can fire an employee because of their race, gender, religion, or where they are from. And there are also laws protecting employees from being fired for being pregnant, for having a disability, or for taking time off to care for a child or sick relative. Additional Federal employment laws that protect workers in Louisiana are:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
- The Americans With Disabilities Act
- The Pregnancy Fairness Act
- The Pregnancy Protection Act
- The Family Medical Leave Act
If you were fired for a reason that is protected by law you should speak with a Louisiana employment attorney who can help you file a claim against that employer.
Who Oversees the Wrongful Termination Laws in Louisiana?
In Louisiana workers who are fired for an illegal reason can file a complaint with the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights. The LCHR will investigate to see if your employer violated your legal rights. You can also file suit in court against your employer, but typically that is done after you have filed a complaint with the LCHR and received their ruling. You can file a complaint with the LHCR online, in person, or on the phone.
You can also report your former employer to the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC investigates the violation of Federal employment laws like Title VII. You can file a complaint with the EEOC online or on the phone.
Get in Touch With a Lawyer That Takes Louisiana Wrongful Termination Claims
If you were fired from a job because of your race, gender, age, or another protected reason you could be entitled to damages. You should speak with an employment law attorney to find out more about the process of filing a claim. Fill out a Free Case Evaluation now to get connected with an independent attorney who subscribes to the website and takes cases in Louisiana.
