Gender Discrimination Lawyers in
North Carolina and South Carolina
Gender discrimination in the workplace can take many forms, including unequal pay, being passed over for promotions, harassed, or fired because of your gender or biological sex. Herrmann & Murphy represents employees in North Carolina and South Carolina who have experienced unlawful gender discrimination at work. If you believe your employer has treated you differently because of your gender, request a consultation with our employment discrimination attorneys today.
What is Gender Discrimination?
Gender discrimination is when an employer treats an employee or job applicant unfavorably because of their biological sex. This is also referred to as sex discrimination. Federal law prohibits covered employers from discriminating based on sex in hiring, compensation, promotions, termination, and other terms and conditions of employment. In 2020, the Supreme Court held that laws prohibiting sex discrimination also protect employees from adverse employment decisions based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
North Carolina’s Equal Employment Practices Act provides the same protection from discrimination as federal law. However, the state law does not prohibit retaliation, nor does it provide for the defendant to pay your attorneys’ fees the way federal law does. South Carolina’s Human Affairs Law provides protection more similar to the federal law and provides employees a longer period of time to file their discrimination claim, at up to 300 days.
See answers to other frequently asked questions about gender discrimination in the workplace.
EEOC Guidance on Gender Discrimination
Gender discrimination is not always obvious. Employers rarely admit an employment decision was based on sex or gender. Instead, evidence of discrimination may appear in patterns of behavior or differences between how similarly situated employees are treated. Sex discrimination can also overlap with other forms of unlawful workplace discrimination, including:
- Pregnancy Discrimination
- Sexual Harassment
- Sexual Orientation Discrimination
- Gender Identity Discrimination
Gender discrimination can also involve unequal compensation. The federal Equal Pay Act requires men and women in the same workplace to receive equal pay for equal work, with some legally recognized exceptions. Title VII also prohibits sex discrimination in compensation. However, pay disparity does not automatically establish unlawful discrimination. An employment attorney can help determine whether the specifics of your situation meet the legal criteria for a charge of sex discrimination. Request a consultation for more information.
Contact a Gender Discrimination Attorney
Herrmann and Murphy’s gender discrimination lawyers in South Carolina and North Carolina help employees handle unfair treatment at work. Real-world experience and statistics make clear that the workplace is far from an equal playing field. Female employees are regularly held to different standards than their male peers — and continue to be paid less for the same work. Contact the law office of Herrmann & Murphy if you believe you have experienced predatory behavior at work.
Our attorneys hold employers accountable for allowing harassment and discrimination based on sex in their workplaces. If you believe you are the victim of sex discrimination, you should reach out for a consultation today. Call our law offices in North Carolina at 704.940.6399 or in South Carolina at 864.516.7526.
Gender Discrimination FAQs
Your situation may warrant further investigation if:
- You were passed over for a promotion given to a less-qualified employee of another sex.
- Your employer gave inconsistent reasons for an employment decision.
- You were subjected to inappropriate comments about your sex or gender.
- Your compensation is lower than that of similarly situated employees of another sex.
- You were denied opportunities or projects because of assumptions about your gender.
Pregnancy discrimination and discrimination based on sexual orientation or transgender status may also fall under a charge of sex discrimination. Herrmann & Murphy’s attorneys can evaluate the circumstances of your experience and help determine whether you may have a legal claim. Read more about the warning signs of workplace discrimination.
Claims must be filed within 180 days from when the discriminatory act took place. Reach out for a consultation before filing a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) if you believe you have experienced unlawful discrimination or retaliation. Our attorneys can file a claim on your behalf. If it has been at least five months since the adverse employment action occurred, file with the EEOC immediately to avoid missing the statute of limitations. Read more about filing deadlines for claims of workplace discrimination.
No. Federal law prohibits certain forms of sex-based wage discrimination, including under the Equal Pay Act and Title VII. However, a difference in pay does not automatically establish unlawful sex discrimination. The specific jobs in question, as well as compensation, qualifications, and reasons for the pay difference are important considerations. Submit a consultation request to discuss the specifics of your scenario with a gender discrimination attorney.
There is rarely a single piece of evidence proving workplace discrimination. In order to establish a pattern of discriminatory behavior, evidence may include:
- Emails, text messages, or other written communications
- Performance reviews and disciplinary records
- Compensation and payroll information
- Job descriptions and promotion records
- Statements made by supervisors or coworkers
- Witness testimony
- Employment policies and records
Discrimination can also be established through direct or circumstantial evidence. Read more about key evidence needed to prove employment discrimination.
Herrmann & Murphy represents employees in North Carolina and South Carolina — not their employers. Our attorneys bring significant courtroom experience to employment disputes. When you contact our firm, we can help you understand what legal options may be available and what evidence may be important to your sex discrimination case. If you are a victim of gender discrimination at your work, please request a consultation for more information.
