Your job should be based on your performance, skills, and dedication… Not your race, gender, age, disability, or other personal characteristics. When workplace decisions are influenced by bias instead of merit, employees can suffer serious consequences. Careers stall, opportunities disappear, and financial stability can suddenly be placed at risk.
Workplace discrimination can take many forms. Sometimes it is obvious, such as derogatory comments or direct statements about a protected characteristic. More often, it appears through patterns, such as promotions that consistently go to others, disciplinary actions that seem unevenly applied, or a sudden termination that does not match an employee’s performance record.
If you believe you were treated unfairly because of a protected trait, Nevada law may provide important protections.
The Reno workplace discrimination lawyers at Greenberg Gross LLP represent employees who have experienced unlawful workplace discrimination. Our trial lawyers handle complex employment disputes involving serious professional and financial consequences.
If your employer’s decisions were influenced by bias rather than legitimate business reasons, our team can help you understand your legal rights and decide whether you want to bring a discrimination claim.
Reno Workplace Discrimination Cases Require the Careful Investigation We Provide
Employers rarely admit that discrimination played a role in an employment decision. Instead, companies often use internal policies, performance evaluations, or restructuring explanations to justify their actions.
This is why workplace discrimination cases require a careful examination of records, communications, and the timeline of events. The skilled employment law team at Greenberg Gross can investigate the circumstances surrounding your employment discrimination claim to weed out false narratives and unsupported excuses for why you were treated unfairly.
For example, you may have received positive performance reviews for years, only to face sudden criticism shortly after disclosing a disability or reporting workplace harassment. Or maybe you were passed over repeatedly for promotion while coworkers without a protected classification advanced more quickly. In other cases, layoffs or restructuring decisions may disproportionately affect certain employees.
Identifying whether employment discrimination occurred requires analyzing the employer’s stated reasons and comparing them with the surrounding evidence. Greenberg Gross LLP approaches workplace discrimination claims with the dedication and seriousness they deserve. Our attorneys handle high-stakes employment disputes in which professional reputations and long-term career prospects may be at stake.
Greenberg Gross LLP is ready to stand by your side
The Basics of Workplace Discrimination Under Nevada Law
Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee adversely because of a legally protected characteristic.
Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 613 prohibits workplace discrimination and makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate based on certain protected traits. Employees in Reno are protected from discrimination based on characteristics such as:
- Race or color
- National origin
- Religion
- Sex or gender
- Sexual orientation or gender identity
- Disability
- Pregnancy
- Age (40 and older)
These protections apply to many aspects of employment, including hiring decisions, promotions, job assignments, compensation, discipline, and termination.
Federal laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act may also apply in certain situations. Because workplace discrimination cases can involve both state and federal law, determining which legal framework applies is an important first step in evaluating a claim.
When you partner with our Reno workplace discrimination attorneys, we will listen to your story, determine all potential laws that may have been violated, and explain your options in clear, understandable terms to help you make the best possible decisions.
How Workplace Discrimination Often Appears in Reno Employment Situations
Discrimination rarely occurs in isolation. It often appears through a pattern of treatment that becomes clearer over time.
For example, an employee might notice that coworkers outside their protected group consistently receive promotions or favorable assignments. Or, an employee may experience sudden changes in job duties or disciplinary actions shortly after requesting a protected medical accommodation.
Sometimes discrimination emerges when an employee reports harassment or raises concerns about unfair treatment. Rather than addressing the issue, the employer may begin documenting alleged performance problems or creating a record intended to justify termination.
These patterns can be difficult to recognize while they are happening, particularly when employees are focused on maintaining their jobs and professional relationships. A careful review of employment records, performance evaluations, and communications can often reveal whether the employer’s explanation for an adverse action is consistent with the employee’s work history or whether discrimination occurred.
Common Types of Workplace Discrimination Claims in Reno, NV
Workplace discrimination can arise in several ways, depending on the protected characteristic involved and the employer's actions in response.
Disability Discrimination
Employees with physical or mental disabilities are protected from discrimination under both Nevada and federal law. Employers must provide reasonable accommodations that allow qualified employees to perform their job duties, unless doing so would create an undue hardship for the business.
Disability discrimination claims may arise when an employer refuses to consider or offer accommodations, disciplines an employee for a medical condition, or terminates a worker after learning of a health condition.
Pregnancy Discrimination
Pregnancy-related discrimination occurs when an employee is treated negatively because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. For example, an employer may reduce an employee’s responsibilities after learning they are pregnant, deny promotion opportunities, or terminate the employee shortly after maternity leave is requested.
Employers are also expected to consider reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy when appropriate.
Age Discrimination
Employees who are 40 years of age or older are protected from discrimination based on age.
Age discrimination claims may arise when older employees are replaced by significantly younger workers, excluded from training opportunities, or encouraged to retire despite satisfactory performance.
These age-related cases often occur during corporate restructuring or workforce reductions, when older employees may be disproportionately affected.
Gender and Sexual Orientation Discrimination
Nevada law prohibits discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Employers must ensure that employment decisions are based on merit and business needs rather than stereotypes or bias.
Gender discrimination may involve unequal pay, denial of leadership opportunities, or disciplinary action applied unevenly across employees performing similar roles. Sexual orientation discrimination can include hostile workplace behavior, exclusion from opportunities, or adverse actions following disclosure of an employee’s identity.
Each of these claims requires careful analysis of evidence, workplace policies, and comparative treatment of other employees. Our dedicated employment discrimination lawyers have the resources and skills to uncover the true nature of your workplace treatment to hold all involved parties responsible for the discrimination you suffered.
Do I Have a Reno Workplace Discrimination Case?
Not every unfair workplace experience qualifies as unlawful discrimination. Employers retain the right to make business decisions, including discipline or termination, as long as those decisions are not based on protected characteristics.
Determining whether discrimination occurred involves examining several factors. First, the employee must belong to a protected group under Nevada or federal law.
The employee must also have experienced an adverse employment action, such as termination, demotion, or loss of promotion opportunities.
Finally, there must be evidence suggesting that the adverse action was connected to the protected characteristic.
This evidence can take many forms. It may include statements made by supervisors, patterns of treatment affecting certain groups, inconsistencies in the employer’s explanation, or timing that suggests bias influenced the decision.
Because these cases often involve competing explanations, we review all available documentation and circumstances carefully to build a strong claim for workplace discrimination and support your demand for compensation or action to cover the losses you’ve suffered.
What Damages May Be Available in a Reno Discrimination Case?
Employees who successfully prove workplace discrimination may be entitled to various forms of compensation under Nevada and federal law. These damages are designed to address both the financial and personal consequences of discrimination.
For example, employees may seek recovery for lost wages and benefits resulting from termination or demotion. In some cases, courts may also award damages related to the emotional distress caused by discriminatory treatment. Additional remedies may include reinstatement to a former position or policy changes intended to prevent similar conduct in the future.
Workplace discrimination can affect not only a person’s livelihood but also their professional reputation and sense of security. Because the available remedies depend on the specific circumstances of the case and the laws involved, our detailed legal evaluation is necessary to understand the extent of your legal rights.
What are the Deadlines for Filing a Workplace Discrimination Claim in Nevada?
Employees who believe they have experienced discrimination need to understand certain important legal deadlines.
In many cases, discrimination claims must be filed with the Nevada Equal Rights Commission (NERC) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) before a lawsuit can proceed. These administrative filings allow the agency to review the allegations and determine whether further action is appropriate.
The deadlines for filing these claims can be relatively short, and missing a deadline may affect your ability to pursue any legal remedies. For this reason, if you suspect workplace discrimination, you should seek legal guidance as soon as possible. Contact our knowledgeable team today to avoid missing important deadlines.
How the Workplace Discrimination Attorneys at Greenberg Gross LLP Can Help
Workplace discrimination claims are complicated and difficult for employees to pursue on their own. Employers often have access to internal legal teams, human resources professionals, and outside counsel who regularly handle these disputes. You need an experienced legal fighter in your corner to protect you.
The legal professionals at Greenberg Gross LLP regularly represent employees in complex workplace disputes where significant issues and future consequences are at stake.
When you contact our firm, our attorneys begin by reviewing the facts surrounding your employment situation. This includes examining employment records, communications, internal complaints, and the timeline of events.
Understanding how the situation developed helps determine whether your employer’s actions were lawful or whether discrimination may have influenced the decision. Next, our team works to build a clear, evidence-based narrative. In many cases, this involves identifying inconsistencies in your employer’s explanation or demonstrating patterns of treatment that suggest bias.
Because these cases can have long-term implications for your career and financial future, they require careful preparation and strategic legal planning. Trust our team to build a strong case on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workplace Discrimination in Reno
Can workplace discrimination occur even if no one made explicit comments?
Yes. Many discrimination cases rely on circumstantial evidence rather than direct statements. Patterns of unequal treatment, inconsistent explanations, and timing can all suggest discriminatory intent.
What if my employer claims the decision was based on performance?
Employers often cite “performance concerns” to defend against discrimination claims. Examining past evaluations, disciplinary records, and how other employees were treated can help determine whether that explanation is accurate or manufactured to protect the business.
Do I have to quit my job to pursue a discrimination claim?
Not necessarily. Some claims arise while the employee is still working for the company. However, each situation should be evaluated carefully before taking action. If you want to continue working, we might create a strategic plan to help you remain employed.
Can multiple employees bring a claim together?
In some situations, several employees may experience similar treatment and pursue claims together. These cases can reveal broader patterns of discrimination within an organization. However, if other employees’ interests differ from yours, we will likely suggest that you bring a separate claim to protect your rights.
Will my case go to trial?
Many employment disputes are resolved through settlement negotiations. It is our policy to prepare every case as if it will go to trial to maintain a strong bargaining position, and in case litigation becomes necessary.
Speak With the Reno Workplace Discrimination Lawyers at Greenberg Gross to Learn More
No employee should have to choose between their livelihood and their right to be treated fairly at work. When discrimination affects hiring decisions, promotions, pay, or termination, Nevada law provides a path for employees to challenge unlawful conduct and pursue accountability.
The employment attorneys at Greenberg Gross LLP represent employees in Reno and throughout Nevada in complex workplace discrimination cases. Our trial lawyers are prepared to quickly investigate what happened, explain your legal options, and help determine the best path forward.
If you believe workplace discrimination affected your career, contact our team today to speak with our Reno workplace discrimination lawyers and learn how we may be able to help.