Discrimination at Work
The Situation: You have a seizure at work. Everyone is very concerned and helpful. The following week you are let go. You have never had a bad review and have no warnings in your personnel file. Is this discrimination or a coincidence?
The Discussion: There are as many explanations for this situation as there are people in the workforce. But, you would have every reason to consider that your seizure had something to do with your dismissal, especially if you are confident that the grounds for discharge they are conveying to you don’t seem valid.
The Plan: Once you have concluded that you need legal assistance, it is nice to know that you have many resources available to you. A first step might be to visit your local legal aid society (or your union representative if that applies) for a consultation. They will let you know whether you have a case that would support further investigation by the courts. If, in fact, it is determined that you most likely do have a case, you can enlist the assistance of the legal aid attorney you initially contacted, hire your own private attorney, use one provided by your union, or go directly to the EEOC and file your complaint.
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
http://www.eeoc.gov/
• Jeanne A Carpenter Epilepsy Legal Defense Fund
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/epilepsylegal/
• Americans with Disabilities Act
http://www.ada.gov/
• EHow – Learn how to document discrimination in the workplace
http://www.ehow.com/how_6020913_document-discrimination-job.html