Most people think of Amazon as a forward-thinking company that embraces people from all walks of life. After all, the company is well-known as a supporter of LGBT rights and has even produced a drama called “Transparent,” which features a lead character who is transgender.
One Kentucky couple sees the company in a whole different light, however. The couple both worked at Amazon in a Hebron, Kentucky warehouse. The couple faced various types of workplace harassment during the time they were employed at Amazon because the woman is transgender.
Work Place Harassment Claim
The transgender woman was subject to taunts from co-workers who called her a “shemale” and a
“crossdresser.” The man was constantly teased about his sex life. The couple informed supervisors about the hurtful remarks, but nothing was done. In fact, many supervisors joined in on the harassment as well.
The couple reached a breaking point in 2015 when a co-worker cut the brake lines on their car. They feared for their lives and quit their jobs shortly after.
Discriminating against someone based on their gender identity is an illegal bias. The couple claims that Amazon violated state and federal laws banning sex discrimination in the workplace. Also, because supervisors allege that the woman’s gender dysphoria was a disability, Amazon is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The couple filed a lawsuit against Amazon in a Kentucky federal court on August 9.
LGBT Rights
Earlier this year, a federal appeals court ruled that workplace discrimination against LGBT would be deemed illegal based on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It was agreed that discrimination based on sexual orientation would be considered a type of sex discrimination. This decision came after a woman sued Ivy Tech Community College after she was allegedly denied employment based on the fact that she is a lesbian.
This decision was huge for the LGBT community. It was also a wake-up call to employers who might have passed over job applicants in the past based solely on their sexual orientation.
While the judge did rule in the woman’s favor, she made it clear that Title VII does not provide remedies for discrimination based on sexual orientation. With these laws applying to employers and other private parties, they are more important than ever and should be discussed in the Supreme Court.
Work with an Experienced New York Wrongful Termination Lawyer
Everyone has the right to work in an environment free of harassment. Nobody should live in fear because of workplace harassment. If you were fired from your job due to your sexual orientation, gender or religion, or forced to quit due to non-stop harassment from co-workers and supervisors, you may have a case for wrongful termination.
If you are working in a hostile work environment, your physical and mental health is at stake. The good news is that you don’t have to face the harassment alone. Let one of the experienced New York City wrongful termination lawyers at Ricotta & Marks, P.C. assess your case. Contact our firm today at (716) 301-2704 to schedule a consultation in our Queens office.
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