Accomplished New Jersey Employment Discrimination Attorneys Right Workplace Wrongs

Skilled Hackensack lawyers represent victims of on-the-job bias

Proving unlawful workplace discrimination in New Jersey is very difficult. “Smoking gun” evidence is rare, and few employees willingly testify against their employers. More often, plaintiffs must prove cases by inference and circumstantial evidence. A qualified New Jersey discrimination lawyer can be critical to the success of your case. At Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in Hackensack, we represent individuals, including senior executives, whose workplace discipline or termination is the result of unlawful discrimination. Through direct negotiations, mediation, arbitration and litigation, our NJ discrimination attorneys help clients obtain compensation for the harm they’ve suffered.

Dedicated legal team works to protect and assert rights of New Jersey workers

The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits businesses from making employment decisions based on any of the following “protected characteristics” of an employee or job applicant:

• Age — Anyone between the age of 18 and 70 may file an age discrimination claim in New Jersey.
• Disability — A claim for disability discrimination may stem from mistreatment due to a past, current or perceived physical or mental condition.
• Race — Whether overt or subtle, discrimination based on race or national origin can prevent a qualified worker from advancing their career.
• Ethnicity — Personal opinions about an employee’s ethnic or cultural identity should have no bearing on workplace treatment.
• Religion — Refusal to allow an employee to observe the customs of their faith may amount to religious discrimination.
• Gender — New Jersey law protects workers from discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression.
• Pregnancy — A pregnant employee who is terminated, demoted or denied a promotion may have a strong pregnancy discrimination claim.
• Sexual orientation — Treating a person differently based on their sexual orientation is illegal.

Our work has changed the landscape of New Jersey employment discrimination law, and we have obtained millions of dollars for workers.

Experienced litigators handle cases of COVID-related work discrimination

New Jersey employees are protected against COVID-related workplace discrimination in several ways. It is unlawful for an employer to retaliate against an employee for using his or her earned sick leave, family leave benefits or temporary disability insurance to take time off work for a COVID-related issue, provided the legal requirements are met.

As long as an employee provides appropriate documentation from a medical professional, he or she may use available leave to:

• Recover from a COVID infection
• Quarantine after possible COVID exposure
• Avoid infection, if the employee is in a high-risk category
• Help care for a sick loved one
• Care for children whose school is closed due to COVID

If you suffered negative consequences at work after taking COVID-related leave, speak with an attorney.

Committed legal team helps clients prove NJ workplace discrimination

To prove workplace discrimination, you must demonstrate that an employer treated you differently because you are a member of a protected group. Evidence supporting your claim may include:

• Testimony from someone with firsthand knowledge of the discriminatory behavior
• Corroborating documents
• Statistics revealing how discrimination has adversely affected your group

We can help you find and prepare the evidence you need to build a case.

Trusted firm helps clients file New Jersey workplace discrimination claims

New Jersey law does not require you to file any administrative agency claims before you initiate a civil lawsuit, although you may elect to make such a filing.

Pursuant to some federal anti-discrimination laws, before you can sue your employer, you must file a Charge of Discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The charge must be submitted within 180 days of the discriminatory event and must include the following:

• Information about the company, including the number of employees
• A brief description of why you believe you were discriminated against, including specific events and dates

Once your claim is filed, the EEOC will investigate or recommend mediation. The EEOC may also grant you a Notice of Right to Sue. Our lawyers can guide you through the filing process and next steps.

Supportive counselors explain possible compensation for successful claims

The legal relief you can receive in a workplace discrimination case will depend on the details and severity of your claim. If a court or the EEOC determines that discrimination took place, you may be able to receive:

• Hiring, reinstatement or promotion
• Back pay and benefits
• Reimbursement for job search or medical expenses
• Compensation for legal fees, expert witness fees and court costs
• Compensation for emotional harm, including mental anguish, inconvenience or loss of enjoyment of life

As one of New Jersey’s largest plaintiff-side employment law firms, we handle cases of discrimination against individuals from all protected classes, and take on claims against employers of all sizes.

Contact our committed New Jersey employment discrimination attorneys today

At Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in Hackensack, New Jersey, we have won many precedent-setting employment discrimination cases. We have the experience and resources to challenge even the most powerful defendants. To schedule your confidential consultation, call 551-245-8894 or contact us online. We also have Rockland County and Manhattan locations.