Castronovo & McKinney, LLC represents employees in Somers Point, NJ who have experienced discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits employers from treating workers unfairly because of their sexual orientation or transgender status.
The LAD protects employees from discrimination tied to sexual or affectional orientation, including:
- Heterosexuality – attraction to individuals of the opposite gender.
- Homosexuality – attraction to individuals of the same gender.
- Bisexuality – attraction to individuals of more than one gender.
- Transgender identity – when a person’s gender identity differs from the sex assigned at birth.
- Gender identity or expression – how a person identifies or expresses gender through appearance, behavior, or other characteristics.
The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) enforces these protections and investigates workplace discrimination claims. Employers cannot refuse to hire, terminate, demote, harass, underpay, or otherwise mistreat employees because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
New Jersey law also protects employees from discrimination based on perceived sexual orientation. Employers can still violate the LAD even if their assumptions about an employee’s sexual orientation or identity are incorrect. Courts in New Jersey have recognized these claims and held employers accountable for discriminatory decisions tied to bias or stereotypes.
Workers in Somers Point, NJ who face sexual orientation discrimination may file a complaint with the DCR within 180 days of the discriminatory act or pursue a lawsuit in Superior Court within two years.
Castronovo & McKinney, LLC helps employees protect their rights and pursue compensation for unlawful workplace discrimination. Our attorneys handle claims involving wrongful termination, harassment, retaliation, denied promotions, unequal pay, and hostile work environments related to sexual orientation or gender identity discrimination in New Jersey workplaces.