Ohio (R.C. § 4112.99) and federal law (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) prohibits an employer from retaliating against any employee that has opposed unlawful discrimination based on race, gender, national origin and other protected classes. Thus, male employees are protected from retaliation after complaining about the disparate treatment of female employees. Similarly, White employees cannot be retaliated against for reporting discrimination against Black or Hispanic employees.
For example, take the case asserted by Steve Adkins against Edison State College. Atkins asserted that he was fired from his position as the Vice President of Academic Affairs after opposing discriminatory hiring practices by Edison in the search for a nursing dean. According to Adkins, immediately upon opposing such conduct, he was subjected to hostility and harassment from the college’s president. When Adkins continued to stand his ground, he was fired.
Recently, Edison’s board of trustees unanimously approved a $256,000 settlement to resolve Adkins’ wrongful termination claim. The college previously settled with Vivian Lilly, who claimed that she was denied the dean of the nursing school position based on race. The settlement with Lilly was for $85,000. Thus, for those who doubt the viability of claims by white males that report unlawful conduct, they should note that Atkins claim was worth over three times that of Lilly – most likely because of a pay disparity in the positions.
If you see unlawful conduct, stand up and oppose it. You are legally protected in doing so.
If you even think that your employment rights have been violated or that you might need an employment lawyer, then call the right attorney to schedule a free and confidential consultation at 866-797-6040. Spitz, The Employee’s Law Firm is dedicated to protecting employees’ rights and solving employment disputes.
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