U.S. Virgin Islands Workplace Discrimination Lawyers

Attorneys Representing Employees in Harassment Cases in St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John

In the Virgin Islands, employees enjoy certain rights under the laws of the United States, including protections against discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Anyone who has experienced adverse effects to their job or the wages they earn because of the actions of a manager or coworker should work with an employment law attorney to determine their legal options.

At Colianni & Leonard LLC, our attorneys have more than 60 years of combined legal experience, and we have represented clients in a wide variety of harassment and discrimination cases. We can help you understand your rights as an employee and work to ensure that your employer is held accountable for any illegal actions they have taken.

Employment Discrimination

An employee may be the victim of discrimination if they have suffered negative effects at work because of their race, gender, age, religion, national origin, or disability. An employer may commit discrimination if they make decisions about hiring, firing, promotion, or compensation based on any of these factors. Other forms of discrimination include refusing to provide reasonable accommodations for an employee with a disability or putting policies in place that have a "disparate impact" on certain employees because of their religion, gender, or other protected status.

An employee who has been the victim of discrimination must file a complaint with the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Labor within 180 days after the discrimination occurred, so it is important to act quickly in these cases. Employees may be able to receive multiple types of relief, including being restored to their previous position or receiving back pay or benefits that were denied to them.

Workplace Harassment

Harassment is a form of discrimination that is often less obvious, since it does not always directly affect a person's employment status, position, or compensation. However, employers should address any factors that affect an employee's ability to do their job, including ensuring that employees are free from harassment based on their race, gender, age, disability, appearance, sexual orientation, or religion. Employees may be able to obtain relief if their employer did not take steps to address harassment that contributed to a hostile work environment.

Unfortunately, sexual harassment is one of the most common forms of harassment that employees face. This type of harassment can include actions by a manager or coworker that create a hostile work environment, such as unwanted sexual advances, inappropriate comments, or sharing sexually explicit images. However, sexual harassment can be particularly harmful when it is perpetrated by a manager or supervisor, such as when a person is offered a promotion in return for sexual favors or threatened with being fired or demoted if they do not comply with a supervisor's sexual demands.

A person who is the victim of harassment may be able to obtain multiple types of relief from their employer, including receiving compensation for the wages they would have received if adverse employment decisions had not been made. A victim may also be able to obtain compensation for the emotional trauma they have experienced.

Contact a U.S. Virgin Islands Employment Discrimination Attorney

If you have suffered any form of discrimination while at work, or if you have been wrongfully terminated for reporting discrimination or harassment, Colianni & Leonard LLC, LLC can help you determine your legal options. We will assist you in filing a discrimination claim and help you pursue the relief you deserve, ensuring that those who have wronged you are held responsible for their actions. Contact us today by calling 340-719-1766 to set up a free consultation.