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Discrimination can lead to wrongful termination

On Behalf of | Jul 29, 2021 | Employment Law

Discrimination is a problem across employment industries and sectors. It is an unfortunate fact that American workers face discriminatory conduct and actions because of their race, religion, gender, age, and other protected classifications. When discrimination happens in Oregon, state and federal laws can protect affected workers.

One of the byproducts of discrimination that can seriously impact workers is wrongful termination. This post will explore the connection between terminations and discrimination in workplaces. Because employment claims based on discrimination are diverse, it is important that impacted workers get legal help to address their specific needs.

Ways discrimination can manifest at work

Discrimination is not a single action or event. It can be based on many protected classifications and can take on many forms. When a workplace fosters discrimination, it can enable wrongful actions against individuals of certain groups. Discrimination can result in reduced work benefits and opportunities, assignments to less attractive shifts and positions, and even terminations of workers.

Although there are permissible grounds for firing employees, discrimination is not one of them. There is no cause basis for a termination based on discrimination, and that can make it wrongful. Victims of discrimination-based wrongful terminations may have rights under the law.

How to handle a wrongful termination after suffering discrimination

Losing one’s job due to discriminatory practices can be gut-wrenching and practically impossible to move past. Workers who suffer this legal harm can seek counsel to learn more about their rights and options to seek redress. Although there are no guarantees, some workers who lose their jobs because of discrimination can seek reinstatement into their previous work positions. Others may receive damages or back pay and benefits to help them move forward after suffering the demeaning losses of their jobs because of workplace discrimination.