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Workplace discrimination and disabled people

On Behalf of | Feb 24, 2017 | Workplace Disability Discrimination

Florida workers should be aware that complaints related to disability seem to be on the rise in workplaces across the country. Data released by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission shows that workplace discrimination complaints increased in 2016.

Disabled people comprise just about 20 percent of the population and a very small part of the workforce. However, just over 30 percent of the discrimination charges filed in 2016 involved cases of disability discrimination.

In 2015, only 17.5 percent of the disabled population was employed. This low employment rate stems from some disabled individuals not being capable of working or not wanting to and others having to remain unemployed to keep their benefits. Some disabled people want to work very much but just can’t find jobs. Those who do manage to find employment end up working in low-wage settings, such as part-time or temporary positions, that do not provide stability or benefits.

At work, disabled people may become victims of harassment, denied promotions, refusals of reasonable accommodations, retaliation and other kinds of discriminatory behavior. Employers and managers may conduct themselves in such a manner because they doubt the intelligence of their disabled employees, believe that the disabled are not as capable or regard hiring disabled persons as an act of charity.

In addition to being discriminated against due to their disabilities, some disabled people may also receive unfair treatment for other reasons. People of color who are disabled have a higher risk of discrimination, particularly if they are women. Disabled LGBQT people may also have difficulty locating and retaining employment.

Disabled individuals who have been discriminated against at their jobs should seek workplace disability discrimination law firm help. An attorney may use the Americans with Disabilities Act as a basis for filing a complaint against an employer or manager who failed to provide reasonable accommodations.