You meet all your goals and exhibit exceptional performance. Yet, the promotion went to your boss’s golf buddy. It is understandable if you are feeling demotivated because of this. It may leave you wondering if such favoritism is legal in Florida.
While many frown upon favoritism, it is not inherently illegal in Florida. However, it may become a legal issue if it stems from discriminatory practices or if an employer uses it to show hostility. Here is what you should know to protect your rights as an employee.
When does favoritism become illegal?
Typically, an employer can evaluate an individual’s skills, performance and business needs before arriving at a decision for promotion or career advancement. However, Florida law prohibits favoritism rooted in personal biases for protected characteristics such as religion, race, age, gender, disability or sexual orientation.
How do you know if favoritism is rooted in prejudice?
It can be difficult to determine if workplace favoritism is due to prejudice. However, there are certain telltale signs you can identify, such as:
- Your employer consistently assigns better roles, schedules or promotions to specific groups.
- Your employer grants preferential treatment based on race, religion or age.
- Your employer overlooks qualified employees despite strong performance.
- Your employer sidelines you by excluding you from meetings or duties.
- Your employer exhibits a sudden change in behavior after you raise a complaint.
You can use these signs to identify patterns of behavior rooted in your employer’s personal bias and establish you are experiencing workplace discrimination.
What should you do next?
If you believe your employer is discriminating against you based on your identity, take proactive steps to protect your rights. Start by meticulously documenting any evidence of unfair treatment, such as emails, performance reviews or specific examples of unequal treatment. Once you have gathered sufficient documentation, consider consulting with an employment attorney who can evaluate your situation and advise you on the best course of action.