It is illegal under federal, state, and, in some areas, local laws, for employers or potential employers to discriminate against employees or candidates on the basis of their actual or perceived protected categories such as race, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, nationality, religious beliefs, citizenship status, conviction record, military status, order of protection status, disability, or age (if 40 years old or older). If you have been mistreated at work, or when applying for work, because of your membership in any of these protected categories, you may have a claim for discrimination. It is not always easy to figure out the employer’s motivation and it is our job to help you with this determination.