Disability Discrimination and Workplace Rights in Ventnor City, NJ
Employees in Ventnor City, NJ, are protected under federal and New Jersey law from workplace discrimination based on a disability. If an employer treated you unfairly because of a physical or mental condition, you may have grounds for legal action.
Federal Disability Discrimination Protections
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects employees and job applicants who work for employers with 15 or more employees. Under the ADA, employers cannot:
- Refuse to hire, terminate, demote, or otherwise treat someone unfairly because of a disability or medical history.
- Discriminate against a person they believe has a disability, even if no disability exists.
- Take adverse action against an employee because of their relationship with someone who has a disability.
The ADA defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a history of such an impairment, or being regarded as having a disability.
Employers must also provide reasonable accommodations when needed, unless doing so would create an undue hardship based on the employer’s business operations, resources, or size.
New Jersey Disability Discrimination Law
The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJ LAD) provides broad protections for employees in Ventnor City throughout every stage of employment, including hiring, promotions, compensation, discipline, layoffs, and termination.
Under NJ LAD, protected disabilities may include:
- Physical injuries, illnesses, or medical conditions caused by birth defects, accidents, or disease.
- Psychological, emotional, or mental health conditions that affect normal functioning.
The law protects employees with current disabilities, past disabilities, perceived disabilities, and conditions an employer believes may develop in the future.
Employers are required to make reasonable accommodations and cannot use a disability as a factor in employment decisions, including during restructuring or workforce reductions.
Disability Harassment in the Workplace
Disability-based harassment is illegal under both federal and New Jersey law. Employers have a duty to prevent and address workplace harassment involving disabilities at every level of employment.
Harassment may come from supervisors, coworkers, clients, or customers and can include offensive comments, unequal treatment, intimidation, or repeated discriminatory conduct that creates a hostile work environment.
Legal Representation for Employees in Ventnor City, NJ
Castronovo & McKinney, LLC represents employees in Ventnor City, NJ, who have experienced disability discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or failure to accommodate in the workplace.
Our attorneys handle disability discrimination claims through negotiation, litigation, and settlement proceedings and work to protect employee rights under the ADA and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination.
If you believe your employer discriminated against you because of a disability, contact Castronovo & McKinney, LLC to discuss your legal options. We represent employees in Ventnor City and throughout New Jersey in workplace discrimination matters.