Independent contractors can sue for discrimination. Federal laws such as the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) protect workers against discrimination. These laws do not always apply to independent contractors, but other legal options may be available.
If you are an independent contractor dealing with discrimination, get legal help. Hire an employment discrimination lawyer in Boston to represent you. Your attorney will protect your legal rights and seek justice on your behalf.
What Is Discrimination?
Discrimination happens when someone is treated differently based on certain characteristics. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) protects employees against discrimination in several circumstances. These include:
- You are the victim of unfair treatment based on your religion, race, gender, age, or other characteristics.
- You face harassment from managers, peers, or others.
- You ask your employer for a reasonable workplace change based on your religion or disability, and they do not accommodate your request.
- Your employer asks you questions or wants you to disclose information about your genetics or medical history.
- You share your concerns about your job with your employer, leading to retaliation in the workplace.
Discrimination is a major problem, but federal laws surrounding this issue do not necessarily apply to independent contractors. If you work as an independent contractor and are the victim of discrimination, partner with a Boston employment discrimination lawyer. Your attorney will learn about your case and explain how to prove workplace discrimination.
For a free legal consultation, call (860) 999-9394
When Can Independent Contractors Sue for Discrimination?
Independent contractors can sue for discrimination if their employers wrongfully classify them. For example, you are a full-time worker, but your employer claims you are an independent contractor. This means you are not protected under various federal anti-discrimination laws, but a lawyer can help you prove you are a full-time worker and sue your employer.
An employment discrimination lawyer is a great resource if you are an independent contractor who wants to file a lawsuit against your employer. Your attorney will ask you about the discrimination that you have faced. They will help you prepare an argument that shows you are the victim of discrimination.
Your attorney can collect evidence that highlights the severity of your discrimination. They can also find witnesses to support your case. With your lawyer’s guidance, you are well-equipped to protect yourself and others from discrimination moving forward.
What Should Independent Contractors Do to Respond to Discrimination?
Notify your employer about your discrimination so they are aware of the issue. Provide your employer with as much information as you can about the problem, explaining how long it has been happening and how it is affecting you. Ideally, your employer will take the issue seriously and prevent ongoing discrimination against you and others.
Document your discrimination to collect proof you can use to show when you first reported the problem to your employer and how they are responding to it. In a discrimination lawsuit, you could use emails, text messages, and other communications as evidence. You can also provide witness statements to strengthen your case further.
Meet with a Boston employment discrimination attorney to review your legal options. Your lawyer can answer your legal questions and advise you on what to do next. If you have been terminated from your job unfairly or dealt with other forms of discrimination, your attorney could help you file a lawsuit against your employer.
Click to contact our labor & employment lawyers today
How Can Independent Contractors Sue for Discrimination?
The EEOC has time limits for filing a charge based on discrimination. In many instances, you have 180 calendar days to sue. This deadline can be extended up to 300 calendar days in some situations.
In addition to the EEOC, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) investigates complaints of discrimination in employment. You have up to 300 days from the last discriminatory act you suffered to file a complaint with the MCAD. Also, you have the right to file discrimination claims with the EEOC and MCAD.
If the EEOC finds your claim is valid, it will issue a Notice of Right to Sue, giving you up to 90 days to sue your employer. Meanwhile, if the MCAD discovers probable cause that shows you may be the victim of discrimination, it can help you prosecute your case. An attorney can help you file discrimination claims with the EEOC, MCAD, or both.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
What Happens to Independent Contractors That Sue for Discrimination?
The result of your discrimination case depends on how you build your argument. If you have a strong body of evidence, it may be clear that you are the victim of discrimination. In this scenario, you could receive economic or non-economic damages, including:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Damage to your reputation
- Loss of enjoyment
- Lost wages
Most importantly, your lawsuit will bring light to a workplace issue that extends beyond your case. It could drive your co-workers to speak up about discrimination and take legal action against your employer. This can lead your employer to do everything within their power to eliminate discrimination in the workplace.
Work with Boston Employment Discrimination Lawyers Who Fight for the Rights of Independent Contractors
As an independent contractor, every client counts, and you commit time and resources to keep employers happy. In spite of your commitment to your clientele, you should not tolerate discrimination. If discrimination prevents you from working to the best of your ability, request legal help from Boston employment discrimination attorneys.
The legal team at Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard works diligently to ensure that independent contractors are treated fairly and equally. Let our employment discrimination lawyers evaluate your case. Schedule a consultation with our team.
Call or text (860) 999-9394 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form