Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere
– Martin Luther King, Jr.

It’s time to call.

You should never tolerate sexual orientation discrimination

On Behalf of | Dec 13, 2018 | Firm News

If you are an employee, it is likely that you try to be friendly toward other workers and get to know more about their personal lives. Learning more about the interests and the lives of coworkers is a way to build a strong team and to develop a sense of camaraderie among employees.

While you might feel some level of social pressure to share more about your personal life at work, you never have the obligation to do so. In addition to this and perhaps more importantly, if you do share personal details such as your gender identity or sexual orientation, you should never be discriminated against as a result.

Your right to equal treatment in the Oregon workplace

In the state of Oregon, all workers have the right to be free of any discriminatory action relating to their gender, sexual orientation, disability, race or national origin, among many other things. This means that no employer or fellow employee has the right to treat you unfairly because of your sexual orientation or your perceived sexual orientation.

How do I know if I’m being discriminated against?

Usually employees have an innate sense that they are being discriminated against because a decision feels particularly unfair, uncomfortable or hurtful. The situation may in addition have arisen shortly after your boss learned about your sexual orientation, leading you to be suspicious.

For example, if your boss recently learned that you have a partner of the same sex, and soon after you were moved to another team or given a less optimal role in the company, you may be able to successfully argue that this treatment was discriminatory.

How can I prove the link between my sexual orientation and the unfair action?

It can be challenging to prove the causal link in any discrimination case. However, if you can show that there was no good reason for your manager to take the action that they did, a judge may deduce that discrimination is the most likely cause.

Many people do not take action to stand up for themselves after experiencing discrimination. As a result, their careers can suffer. This is why it is vital to take action if you have experienced sexual orientation discrimination in Oregon.