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Employment Rights/Discrimination

The Employee Rights Project assists victims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace.

We help employees file discrimination claims with the EEOC or the Florida Commission on Human Relations. If needed, we may also file a lawsuit against the employer.

What is Discrimination?

Discrimination can be when an employer takes adverse employment action against you because of your race, color, national origin, sex/gender, religion, disability, genetic information or pregnancy.

Discriminatory actions can be when an employer:

  • Refuses to hire you
  • Terminates you
  • Demotes you
What is Harassment?

Harassment at work is unwanted behavior based on a protected trait, such as race, religion, sex, or disability.

It may be harassment if an employee must accept the behavior to keep their job or if it makes the workplace feel threatening, hostile, or abusive.

What is Retaliation?

Retaliation at work happens when an employer punishes a worker for doing something the law protects.

Examples of workplace retaliation include:

  • Firing or demoting a worker after they report discrimination or harassment.
  • Cutting a worker’s hours, pay, or benefits after they make a complaint.
  • Giving a worker a worse schedule or less desirable job duties because they spoke up.
  • Threatening or unfairly punishing a worker for helping with an investigation.
  • Giving a worker an unfair negative review because they reported a workplace problem
What do I do if I think I have been the victim of Discrimination?

In most cases, you must first file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR). One of these agencies will investigate the claim. After the investigation, the agency may send you a Right to Sue letter. This letter allows you to file a lawsuit in court.

What happens if I don’t receive a Right to Sue letter? Is there anything else I can do?

Your case may be settled during the EEOC process. This can happen through mediation, where a neutral person helps both sides agree, or conciliation, where the EEOC helps both sides find a solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

In order to qualify for services, you must:

  • live or work in Palm Beach County.
  • have income within 250% of the poverty guidelines or no income
  • be an employee that suffered discrimination, harassment, or retaliation at work.
  • There is no cost for representation by Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County if you qualify.

If you prevail in your case, you may be entitled to:

  • Backpay and front pay
  • Reinstatement
  • Injunctive Relief
  • Damages for emotional harm
  • Punitive damages

Generally, you have 300 days from the date of the last discriminatory action to make a claim with the EEOC.

After you receive a Notice of Right To Sue Letter from the EEOC you have 90 days to file a lawsuit.

Yes, if you can prove that your workplace is one where unwelcome, discriminatory harassment makes the atmosphere intimidating, hostile, or abusive, you can pursue legal action.

Our Intake Process

  • An intake must be submitted through our website https://legalaidpbc.org/employeerights. If the program is in a “wait list” status, you will be notified.
  • A paralegal will contact you to review your eligibility
  • If we cannot help, we will offer your information on how to file your own lawsuit or provide the names of attorneys who may be available.
  • If we are able to take the case, the appropriate legal documents will be drafted and sent to you to begin. 
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