Unfortunately this type of discrimination is very common. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects both men and women from gender discrimination. Title VII protects a prospective employee, for example if a company only accepts only applications from men and not women, as well as protecting an employee throughout his or her employment.

Gender discrimination is when one employee is treated differently because of his or her gender. The discrimination can be verbal, written, physical or by policy or procedures; even if unintentional. If the employer or a coworker act in a way that creates a hostile work environment against someone based on their gender, then this can be considered gender discrimination. The most recent and famous case of gender discrimination and sexual harassment was in the movie North Country with Charlize Theron that came out in 2005. In that movie it depicts the life a Minnesota steel mine female worker, in the 1980’s, who was severely discriminated against based on the fact that she was a woman working in a “man’s job.” She was verbally and sexually assaulted and had to endure a hostile work environment. She eventually won and that case set many legal precedents.

Usually the sexual harassment is in the form of a quid pro quo; that is, you do something sexual for me, and I will do something that will help advance your career. But, the gender discrimination does not have to be overtly sexual. As long as the act occurred against someone that it would not have occurred had that worker been of a different gender, then that act would be prohibited. From the slightest touch, glimpse or whisper, to something much more deliberate; all of these acts can be discriminatory.

If at your workplace you feel you are being discriminated against based on your gender, please call the Law Offices of Alitowski and Moore at 888-ASK-ANDREW. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer any questions you may have.