Dion & Goldberger is one of the few firms that handles employment discrimination cases on a contingent fee basis with no retainer. In addition, our consultations are free. If you call to seek only legal advice, we charge very small fees for consultation. More importantly, the attorneys at Dion & Goldberger have handled virtually every kind of employment discrimination case, and because of their knowledge and experience, it should be the first place you call for a free consultation to determine whether or not you have a feasible case.

When Do I Contact Dion & Goldberger?

If you have been wrongfully terminated, or otherwise discriminated against, by your employer, it is essential to contact a lawyer immediately. Many employment discrimination claims are subject to time restrictions which are as short as 90 days. Do not wait to pursue your rights or it may be too late.

If you are being harassed or discriminated against at work because you are a member of a protected group, you should make a complaint to management to give your employer an opportunity to stop the unlawful conduct. Please do this in writing, so that you have evidence that you reported the discriminatory conduct. Protected groups include, but are not limited to, persons of a particular race, sex/gender, religion, national origin, age (over 40), and persons who suffer from a disability, are perceived as disabled, take sick leave, have a criminal record, make workmen’s compensation claims, are in the military service, organize a union meeting, seek unpaid pay or unpaid overtime pay, are pregnant, or are sexually harassed. Your employer is not allowed to retaliate against you for making a complaint about harassment or discrimination. Forms of retaliation include pay cuts, demotions, suspensions, and termination.

No one should be sexually harassed at the workplace. If you are a victim of sexual harassment contact a lawyer immediately to ensure that your legal rights are protected.

The Family and Medical Leave Act protects many workers who have to take medical leave or leave to care for a family member who is ill. If you were fired while on medical leave or upon return from medical leave, you may have a claim of wrongful termination under the FMLA.

Race Discrimination

Unfortunately, race discrimination continues to be a common form of discrimination in the workplace. If you feel victimized at work because of your race, it is recommended that you complain in writing to upper management or to a human resources representative. Try to give your employer a chance to remedy the situation. It has a legal duty to do so. Furthermore, it is illegal for your employer to retaliate against you for making a good faith complaint of race discrimination. Your written complaint may end up being the only evidence that you complained. Such evidence is helpful to prove retaliation. It is advised that you contact a lawyer to help you draft the written complaint letter.

Criminal Record Discrimination

In some cases, an employer cannot fire or refuse to hire a person based upon his/her criminal background.

Dion & Goldberger represents many clients who were fired because they committed a felony, misdemeanor or summary offense, or have an arrest record. In most of the cases that we accept, we have been able to recover damages for these clients. We have also obtained recovery for clients who were terminated, or rejected for employment, because the employer mistakenly believed that the employee or applicant had a criminal record. In certain states, including Pennsylvania, statutes have been enacted to prevent employers from engaging in such conduct. These statutes are so obscure that many attorneys do not know they exist. These statutes are enacted in order to help convicted felons, and persons who have criminal records, get back into the workforce and lead productive lives. Without such protections, it would be virtually impossible for many of these persons to find or hold onto employment.

• Because of information from your criminal background
• Because of your gender
• Because of your race
• Because of your religion
• Because of your national origin
• Because of your age
• Because you complained of discrimination
• Because you refused a sexual advance made by your supervisor
• Because you requested overtime pay
• Because you were pregnant
• Because you took sick leave in the past or need to take sick leave
• Because you made a workmen’s compensation claim
• Because you are in the military service
• Because you were perceived as being disabled by your employer
• Because you tried to organize a union meeting
• Because of your sexual preference