Wade Mapley

Call For A Free Consultation 216-329-3116

Wade Mapley

Personalized Representation From Experienced Employment Law Attorneys

Cleveland Employment Discrimination and Harassment Attorneys

Ohio is an at-will state. Your employer can fire you at any time – for almost any reason. But not every reason. Federal and state law prohibit employment decisions based on who you are: your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or other protected characteristics. When an employer crosses that line, you have the right to fight back.

The Laws That Protect You

  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
  • Ohio Revised Code § 4112 mirrors Title VII at the state level and in some cases offers broader protections.
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations.
  • The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects workers 40 and older from age-based discrimination.

What Counts as Discrimination or Harassment?

Discrimination is when an employer treats you differently – firing, demoting, failing to promote, or otherwise disadvantaging you – because of a protected characteristic. Harassment is a form of discrimination: unwelcome conduct based on a protected class that is severe or pervasive enough to alter the conditions of your employment.

Examples include:

  • Termination, demotion, or a failure to promote tied to race, gender, religion, or national origin
  • Offensive comments, jokes, or conduct creating a hostile work environment
  • Retaliation for reporting discrimination or harassment

What Do I Need to Prove a Discrimination Case?

Most discrimination claims are built on circumstantial evidence, which is as legally valid as direct evidence. A typical showing includes:

  • You are a member of a protected class
  • You were qualified for the position or were performing your job satisfactorily
  • You suffered an adverse employment action
  • Someone outside your protected class was treated more favorably under similar circumstances

The employer will then have an opportunity to articulate a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason. If they do, the case turns on whether that reason is a pretext for unlawful discrimination. That is where experienced counsel matters.

Contact Wade Mapley, LLC

If you believe you have been the target of workplace discrimination or harassment, Contact Wade Mapley, LLC, online or call 216-329-3116 for a free consultation. We will tell you honestly what we think and what your options are.