Understanding Employment Discrimination in Ohio: What Workers Need to Know

In today’s workforce, employees expect fair treatment, respect, and a work environment free from discrimination. Unfortunately, discrimination still exists in many workplaces across Ohio. As an employee, it’s important to understand what constitutes employment discrimination, your rights under Ohio law, and how you can protect yourself if you believe you’ve been treated unfairly.

What is Employment Discrimination?

Employment discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or job applicant unfavorably due to a protected characteristic. These characteristics include, but are not limited to:

• Race or color
• Gender (including pregnancy)
• Religion
• National origin
• Age (40 or older)
• Disability
• Military status
• Genetic information
• Sexual orientation or gender identity (in certain jurisdictions)

When decisions about hiring, firing, promotions, wages, or work conditions are influenced by any of these characteristics, it may constitute illegal discrimination. Ohio law and federal law both provide protections for employees facing such behavior.

Ohio Laws Protecting Against Employment Discrimination

In Ohio, workers are protected by both federal laws, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as state laws like the Ohio Civil Rights Act.

The Ohio Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination in hiring, termination, promotion, job training, and other employment decisions based on the protected classes listed above. It also applies to both private employers and public entities, ensuring broad protections for workers across the state.

What is the Ohio Civil Rights Commission?

The Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) is the agency responsible for enforcing state anti-discrimination laws. If you believe you’ve been discriminated against at work, you can file a complaint with the OCRC. The OCRC will investigate the claim, attempt to resolve the issue through mediation or settlement, and if necessary, take legal action against the employer.

It's important to note that there are time limits for filing a complaint—generally, 180 days from the date of the discriminatory action. Acting quickly is crucial to preserving your rights.

Types of Discrimination Employees Face

• Racial Discrimination: Discrimination based on race includes refusing to hire, promote, or offer equal pay to someone because of their race or color. This also covers workplace policies that unfairly impact one race over another.
• Gender Discrimination: This occurs when employees are treated differently because of their gender or pregnancy status. Examples include denying women equal pay, failing to accommodate pregnant employees, or fostering a hostile work environment due to gender.
• Age Discrimination: The federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and Ohio’s laws protect workers over 40 from discriminatory practices such as being passed over for promotions or unfairly targeted in layoffs because of their age.
• Disability Discrimination: Under the ADA, employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities unless doing so would cause undue hardship. Refusing to provide necessary accommodations or treating disabled workers unfairly is prohibited.
• Retaliation: Employees are also protected from retaliation when they report discrimination or participate in an investigation of discrimination. If an employer takes negative action—such as firing or demoting an employee—because they filed a discrimination claim, this is illegal under Ohio law.

How to Protect Your Rights

If you believe you’ve experienced discrimination in the workplace, it’s important to take the following steps:

• Document the Incidents: Keep detailed records of the discriminatory actions, including dates, times, locations, and the people involved. Save any emails, text messages, or other communications that may support your claim.
• Report the Discrimination: If possible, report the discriminatory behavior to your supervisor or HR department. This creates an official record of the complaint and shows that you attempted to resolve the issue internally.
• File a Complaint with the OCRC or EEOC: If your employer does not address the issue or if you experience retaliation, you can file a formal complaint with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). An attorney can help you navigate this process and ensure your claim is properly handled.
• Consult an Employment Discrimination Attorney: An experienced attorney can provide invaluable guidance when pursuing a discrimination claim. They will help you gather evidence, file complaints, negotiate with your employer, or take your case to court if necessary.

Conclusion

No one should have to endure discrimination in the workplace. Ohio laws provide strong protections to ensure employees are treated fairly and equally. If you believe you’ve been discriminated against, taking swift action is critical to protecting your rights. Whether through filing a complaint with the OCRC or seeking legal representation, there are resources available to help you fight back against discrimination and seek justice.

If you have questions about workplace discrimination or need assistance with your case, contact our office for a consultation. We’re here to help you navigate the process and protect your rights.