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Hayber, McKenna & Dinsmore

Reverse Discrimination Lawsuits

Home Employee Rights Reverse Discrimination Lawsuits

We Handle Reverse Employment Discrimination Claims in Massachusetts and Connecticut

At Hayber, McKenna & Dinsmore, LLC, our employment lawyers have the skills and experience to represent workers in reverse discrimination lawsuits. We are strong, solutions-focused employee rights advocates. No matter your gender, race, or sexual orientation, our firm can help. If you have any specific questions or concerns about a reverse discrimination claim, we are here to help. Contact our attorney today to set up your confidential, no obligation consultation. 

What is Reverse Discrimination?

The Legal Information Institute defines reverse discrimination as a type of claim that is brought “when a member of a non-minority group claims that someone (such as an employer) has discriminated against the person because of their status as a non-minority.”

Some examples of reverse discrimination include: 

  • A well-qualified male employee being passed over for a promotion based on gender; 
  • A company refusing to consider well-qualified white job candidates based on their race; and
  • A worker being subject to sexual harassment based on their heterosexuality. 

To be clear, reverse discrimination is a colloquial term. It technically is not included in legal statutes. Instead, discrimination is discrimination—meaning, from the perspective of the law—discrimination against a non-minority group member based on a protected status is still discrimination. 

Federal and State Discrimination Laws Protect All Races, Genders, and Orientations

Federal and state discrimination laws are designed to protect workers from unfair treatment based on race, gender, orientation, and other immutable characteristics. These protections extend to everyone. including those who may feel they are experiencing reverse discrimination. It is important to recognize that the aim of these laws is to promote equality in the workplace. That you are not from a group that has historically endured discrimination does not mean that you are unprotected by the law. You may have a reverse workplace discrimination claim under: 

  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; 
  • Massachusetts Fair Employment Law; and
  • Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act. 

We Handle All Types of Reverse Discrimination Claims in Massachusetts and Connecticut

Hayber, McKenna & Dinsmore, LLC is an employee rights law firm that advocates for the rights and interests of workers in Massachusetts and Connecticut. We provide tireless, solutions-focused advice to workers who have been subject to unfair—and unlawful—treatment in the workplace. 

Along with other reverse discrimination claims in Massachusetts and Connecticut, our attorneys have the skills and experience to take on: 

  • Reverse Racial Discrimination: Race should never be a barrier or a basis for unfair treatment in the workplace, educational institutions, or any sector of society. Our team is equipped to handle cases where individuals feel they have been unjustly discriminated against based on their race, under the premise of reverse discrimination. White employees have the right to file a discrimination claim. For help with a race discrimination claim, please do not hesitate to contact our reverse discrimination attorney for help. 
  • Reverse Sex/Gender Discrimination: Gender equality in the workplace is fundamental. Yet, instances of reverse sex and/or gender discrimination do occur. Male employees may face  marginalization—and unlawful treatment—based on stereotypes and/or biases. Whether you are facing discrimination in hiring, promotion, or any form of employment related decision-making, we can help. Male employees have the right to bring a reverse discrimination claim. If you were subject to sex/gender discrimination in the workplace, our reverse discrimination lawyer is here to help. 
  • Reverse Sexual Orientation Discrimination: LGBTQ employees have important legal rights in Massachusetts and Connecticut. State and federal law protect workers from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Heterosexual employees and cisgender employees are protected as well. A heterosexual worker has the right to bring a discrimination claim. Along the same lines, a cisgender worker has the right to bring a claim based on that status. Contact our reverse discrimination lawyer today for help with a reverse sexual orientation discrimination claim.

How to Prove Employment Discrimination (Know the Elements)

Were you the victim of reverse workplace discrimination? You will need to prove certain elements in order to bring a successful claim. The standard is the same for reverse discrimination claims as it is for any other type of (more traditional) discrimination lawsuit. Here are three things that you must be prepared to prove to bring a successful reverse discrimination claim: 

  • Protected Status: Protected status is the foundation of any employment discrimination claim. Protected status refers to characteristics legally shielded from discrimination, such as race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and more. The plaintiff must belong to one of these protected categories in order to bring a claim at all. To be clear, every employee is part of multiple protected classes. Race protections apply to every race, including white employees. Gender protections apply to all sexes, including male employees. 
  • Adverse Action: The next element involves demonstrating that you were subjected to an adverse action by your employer. Adverse actions can range from termination, demotion, reduction in pay or hours, to less overt forms of discrimination like being passed over for promotions or training opportunities without a legitimate reason. The key is showing that the action significantly impacted your employment status or work environment in a negative way.
  • Causation: Perhaps the most challenging aspect to prove, causation requires demonstrating a direct link between your protected status and the adverse action taken against you. This means providing evidence that the action was taken because of your membership in a protected class, not for legitimate business reasons. Direct evidence, such as discriminatory remarks, is compelling but not always available. More often, plaintiffs rely on circumstantial evidence—such as a pattern of the employer treating similarly situated employees outside the protected class more favorably.

Three Steps to Take If You Were Subject to Reverse Discrimination While On the Job

Were you or your loved one subject to reverse discrimination while on the job? If so, it is imperative that you take immediate action to protect your rights and your interests. Workplace discrimination is not acceptable. A proactive approach can make the difference. Here are three steps to take if you believe that you were the subject of reverse discrimination in Massachusetts or Connecticut: 

  1. Document the Discrimination: As with any other type of legal case, proving liability is key in a reverse discrimination claim. You should proactively document any incident of discrimination—from emails to text messages to witness statements. Beyond that, you should be prepared to keep detailed notes of dates, times, and the individuals involved, as well as the nature of the discriminatory behavior. your documentation will serve as valuable evidence when bringing your workplace discrimination case. 
  2. Report the Violation: You have the right to report reverse discrimination in the workplace without facing any form of retribution (retaliation) from your employer. After documenting the incidents, report the discrimination to the appropriate channels within your organization, such as HR or your direct supervisor, depending on your company’s policies. It is unlawful for an employer in Massachusetts or Connecticut to punish an employee from reporting suspected reverse discrimination. 
  3. Seek Professional Representation: Employment law is complicated—especially so in reverse discrimination claims when many people (wrongly) presume that such unfair treatment could not have occurred. You do not have to take on the legal process alone. A top-tier employment attorney who has experience with reverse discrimination cases can review your case, advise you of your rights, and help you take action to get justice. 

Why Rely On Hayber, McKenna & Dinsmore for a Reverse Discrimination Claim

Employee rights matter. No worker should be treated less favorably by their employer based on immutable characteristics, such as race, gender, or sexual orientation. Reverse discrimination is a problem. At Hayber, McKenna & Dinsmore, LLC, we are proud to be lawyers for workers. With offices in both Massachusetts and Connecticut, our legal team provides proactive, diligent advocacy to workers. Among other things, our reverse discrimination attorney is prepared to: 

  • Hear what you have to say and answer your employment law questions; 
  • Advise you on your legal rights and your legal options; 
  • Investigate the matter—gathering evidence of discrimination; 
  • Represent you in any settlement negotiations; and
  • Take action to get you the best outcome in your employment discrimination case. 

Every employment discrimination case involves its own unique set of facts and circumstances. With testimonials from former clients and a history or recent ruling in employment law cases, our reverse discrimination attorneys have the professional skills and legal expertise that you can trust. Our firm provides personalized, top-tier guidance and support to workers, including in race discrimination cases, sex/gender discrimination cases, and other employment law matters. 

Contact Our Reverse Discrimination in Employment Attorney Today

At Hayber, McKenna & Dinsmore, LLC, our employment lawyers have the professional skills and legal expertise to handle reverse discrimination claims. If you have any questions about your rights, we can help. Give us a call at (860) 522-8888 or contact us online to set up your strictly confidential, no obligation consultation with an attorney. With offices in Springfield, Hartford, and Milford, we represent employees in reverse discrimination claims in Massachusetts and Connecticut.