Video Transcript: Employment Issues LGBTQ Community
In many ways I think the employment issues facing members of the LGBTQ community are the civil rights issue of our time. And so there are a myriad of issues that are subtle and not so subtle, and things are changing fast. Most often people think about the problems with access to restrooms, and that is an issue that needs to be addressed. But there are also more subtle and ugly issues that can be happening in the workplace. There can be, employees may be having trouble with getting everyone to use the proper pronouns. They may be having denial of benefits or not being able to have access to the same benefits as other employees. They may be subjected to harassment based on their status in the workplace, and that may be subtle or not so subtle. And they may be subjected to ugly things like hate mail and hate crimes based on their status.
It’s a fast-moving area, and it’s changing quickly. In many ways it’s similar to other discrimination, but in certain ways it’s very unique. When should you contact a lawyer? You don’t have to wait for a termination or a demotion or being put on a performance improvement plan or something like that. You don’t have to wait for it to get really ugly. If you have any doubt that this is, you’re subjected to something that is unfair or that is making you feel uncomfortable because of your LGBTQ status, you should contact an employment lawyer. We often help clients behind the scenes just to handle difficult situations, and we coach them and advise them before things become adverse employment actions.
About Larry Schaefer
Lawrence P. Schaefer has earned the respect of judges and other lawyers for his thorough and aggressive client advocacy in negotiation and litigation. He focuses exclusively on representing people who have been subject to employment discrimination at work. Larry serves as the firm’s President and head of litigation. Learn more >
About Toni Halleen
Toni has practiced employment law since graduating from law school in 1988. The field appeals to her because in our society, our jobs can be core to our identity and well-being. Even in her early years in the 70s and 80s, Toni remembers being drawn to ideals of justice, fairness, and social equality in attending anti-discrimination marches, participating in school activism, and admiring the political satire of the Smothers Brothers (and others). Learn more >
