Employees in Florida have certain protections when they go to work. For example, employment discrimination involving gender or race is against the law. There is a current lack of protections for LGBT workers, but a recently proposed state law hopes to put an end to that. This bill has support from both sides of the political aisle, but it also faces some significant challenges as well.
The House Speaker has some significant reservations about the bill. He says that he thinks that passing it will actually lead to an increase in litigation and cause complications for employers. One reason behind this thinking is that sexual orientation is not physically apparent. Unlike a worker’s gender, an employer cannot tell by looking at someone what that person’s sexual orientation is.
Others say these reservations are pointless. Supporters of the legislation believe that it could attract employees to the state and make it easier for employers to hire promising workers. Despite support from Disney and other major employers in the state, it appears that any changes will not be immediate, and it could be awhile before LGBT workers have specific protections against discrimination.
When a person is subjected to unfair or inappropriate treatment in the workplace, a Florida employee does not have to stay silent. Employment discrimination typically constitutes grounds for a civil claim, and the victim can fight to recover monetary damages and other relief or what he or she has experienced. If an affected worker is unsure of what to do, it may be helpful to reach out for the guidance of an experienced employment law attorney.
