If you are a veteran or a service member, you may be facing some challenges when returning to civilian life, such as discrimination in the workplace based on your military status. If you believe you were discriminated against solely due to your military status or a disability you’ve incurred while serving in the military, our legal team is here to fight for the justice you deserve. Please continue reading and reach out to a dedicated Los Angeles military discrimination lawyer from RD Law Group to learn more about what we can do for you. Here are some of the questions you may have:
What is military status?
Military status refers to your current or past affiliation with the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Armed Forces Reserve, U.S. National Guard, or the California National Guard, as well as your obligations or intentions to serve in the military in the future.
What are some examples of military service discrimination in the workplace?
Though most of us wouldn’t ever think of discriminating against someone who has taken a vow to protect our country, it does happen. Military discrimination in the workplace can take many forms, including the following:
- Denying a military service member a job or promotion due to their military status
- Paying military service members less due to their military status
- Harassing, insulting, or mocking military service members
- Firing or demoting military service members without due process
- Refusing to accommodate reasonable requests for leave or schedule changes related to military service
- Retaliating against service members
What laws protect military members from workplace discrimination?
As a veteran or current service member, you are protected, under the law, from discrimination based on your military status. The primary laws that protect you are as follows:
- The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act: This Act prohibits civilian employers from discriminating against you based on your present, past, and future military service. It also ensures that you can return to your job after serving in the military without penalty.
- The California Fair Employment and Housing Act: This prohibits employers in California from discriminating against you based on your military or veteran status.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act: This prohibits employers from discriminating against you based on your disability status, and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for a wide range of disabilities, including PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, missing limbs, hearing loss, and more.
If you believe your rights in the workplace have been violated in any way, please don’t hesitate to speak with RD Law Group today. We are a proud representative of our servicemen and women, and we are here to fight for you and the justice you deserve.