Your marital status should never affect your opportunities at work. Yet, some employers make hiring, promotion, or disciplinary decisions based on whether an employee is single, married, divorced, or widowed. This practice is both unfair and unlawful in New Jersey. If you’ve experienced this kind of bias in Union County, Castronovo & McKinney, Employment Law Attorneys can help you protect your rights and take action.
What Is Marital Status Discrimination?
Marital status discrimination happens when an employer treats an employee or applicant differently because of their current or past relationship status. This includes being married, single, divorced, separated, widowed, or even in a civil union or domestic partnership.
Examples of Marital Status Discrimination:
- Refusing to hire someone because they are single or recently divorced
- Assuming married women are less committed to their careers
- Denying promotions based on spousal employment with a competitor
- Firing or reassigning an employee after a marriage or divorce
Your Rights Under New Jersey Law
Unlike federal law, which doesn’t explicitly protect marital status, New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) prohibits employers from making employment decisions based on marital status. This includes all aspects of employment—such as hiring, promotions, compensation, job assignments, and termination.
What to Do If You Experience Discrimination
If you suspect you’ve been treated unfairly based on your marital status, here’s how to respond:
- Document the conduct or decisions that you believe are discriminatory
- Retain copies of performance reviews, emails, and any communications from HR or supervisors
- File a complaint internally through your employer’s HR department
- Reach out to an experienced employment attorney to assess your legal options
We’re Here to Help
Castronovo & McKinney, Employment Law Attorneys understand the subtleties of marital status discrimination claims and how to build strong cases on behalf of New Jersey workers. If your employer crossed the line, they’ll help you pursue justice and compensation for the harm done.
Contact Castronovo & McKinney Today
You shouldn’t have to choose between your personal life and your career. If you’ve faced marital status discrimination in the workplace, contact Castronovo & McKinney today for a confidential consultation and let their legal team advocate for you.
New Jersey Office:
71 Maple Ave
Morristown, NJ 07960
Phone: 973.920.7888
Fax: 973.920.7924
New York Office:
420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1830
New York, NY 10170
Phone: 646.755.3781
Fax: 646.755.3781
