AT&T Sued for Gender Identity Discrimination
Not every state offers protections for certain classes of employees. Transgender employees in particular must often look to local ordinances to fight discrimination in the workplace. In one such case, a transgender man filed a lawsuit against telecommunications giant AT&T when he was wrongfully terminated after a series of derogatory and threatening remarks and actions by coworkers and employers.
The problems began when San Antonio native Matthew Hileman overheard remarks from coworkers that violence would be used against anyone transgender. When it was discovered that Hileman was transgender, his desk chair was vandalized with vulgar symbols.
Does San Antonio Offer Protections for Transgender Employees?
Fortunately, San Antonio has a non-discrimination ordinance, like Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and more than 170 other cities in the United States. San Antonio’s NDO provides explicit protections for all employees regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Hileman filed a lawsuit against AT&T citing the NDO, which led to a settlement in the wrongful termination case.
Despite the victory, Hileman’s case was only the first legal test case of San Antonio’s ordinance. Some criticize the ordinance as lacking the clout necessary for enforcement and wish the city would take stronger action to protect transgender employees.
If you have suffered harassment or discrimination in the workplace as a result of your sexual orientation or gender identity, there are resources out there to help you fight back. A strong employment law attorney could make all the difference in your quest to right your employer’s wrong.
Atkerson Law – Dallas Employment Attorney
