Marital Status Discrimination
Legal Representation for Marital Status Discrimination in Somers Point, NJ
Employees in Somers Point are protected from workplace discrimination based on marital status. Whether you are married, single, divorced, separated, engaged, widowed, or in a same-sex relationship, New Jersey law prohibits employers from treating you unfairly because of your relationship status.
If you were denied a job opportunity, disciplined, passed over for promotion, harassed, or terminated because of your marital status, Castronovo & McKinney, LLC can help you pursue legal action and protect your rights.
Our employment attorneys represent workers in marital status discrimination claims involving administrative proceedings, arbitration, settlement negotiations, and litigation in New Jersey courts. We work to hold employers accountable and pursue compensation for employees harmed by unlawful workplace practices.
Protecting Employees From Marital Status Discrimination in Somers Point
New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits employers from discriminating against workers because of their marital status. Employers cannot make employment decisions based on whether someone is married, unmarried, divorced, separated, or involved in a legally recognized relationship.
Discrimination may involve:
- Refusing to hire an applicant because of their marital status
- Denying promotions or advancement opportunities
- Unequal pay or workplace treatment
- Harassment tied to an employee’s relationship status
- Wrongful termination
- Retaliation after reporting discrimination
The LAD also protects employees who have caregiving responsibilities involving a spouse or family member. Workers caring for disabled spouses or raising children may also have legal protections under state and federal law.
Understanding Marital Status Discrimination Claims in New Jersey
Although New Jersey law prohibits marital status discrimination, some employers maintain anti-nepotism policies that restrict family members from working together. However, employers cannot use those policies as a pretext for unlawful discrimination or retaliation.
Federal law does not specifically prohibit marital status discrimination in the same way New Jersey law does, but employees may still have claims under laws such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The FMLA protects eligible employees who need leave to care for a spouse or family member with a serious medical condition.
New Jersey law often provides broader employee protections than federal law, including coverage for employees working for smaller employers.
Filing a Marital Status Discrimination Claim
Under the New Jersey LAD, employees can file a lawsuit directly in court without first filing an administrative complaint. To succeed in a marital status discrimination case, employees generally must show:
- They belong to a protected class
- They were qualified for their position
- They suffered an adverse employment action
- The action was connected to unlawful discrimination
Castronovo & McKinney, LLC handles all aspects of these claims, including investigations, evidence collection, negotiations, hearings, arbitration, and litigation.
Compensation Available in Marital Status Discrimination Cases
Employees who prove marital status discrimination may be entitled to compensation and other remedies, including:
- Back pay
- Front pay
- Reinstatement
- Compensation for emotional distress
- Punitive damages
- Attorneys’ fees and legal costs
Our attorneys work to recover full compensation while protecting your professional reputation and future employment opportunities.
Speak With a Somers Point Marital Status Discrimination Attorney
If you believe your employer treated you unfairly because of your marital status, contact Castronovo & McKinney, LLC. Our employment lawyers represent workers throughout Somers Point and across New Jersey in workplace discrimination matters.
We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.