Each employee has the right to a workplace that is free from hostility and different types of mistreatment. California employees who are deaf may face unique challenges that others may not encounter, and this could sometimes include discriminatory treatment on the basis of their disability. If you are deaf, you may benefit from learning more about your rights in the workplace and how to determine if the treatment you are experiencing while at work counts as discrimination.
Deaf employees are not less capable than their colleagues, and they should not experience any type of discrimination in the workplace. If you are deaf, you will benefit from knowing your rights so that you will know how to proceed if you are a victim of any type of illegal treatment in your place of work. While you may face challenges as a deaf individual in the workplace, you should not face discriminatory treatment.
Communication problems and other issues
One of the most common challenges deaf employees face while at work involves communication. As a deaf individual, it can be difficult to simply communicate with others around you, as well as understand what others are saying. A commonly accepted definition of deafness is the inability to hear some or all sounds, something that can affect every stage of the employment process, including during the hiring stage. However, for many deaf employees, finding meaningful employment is only the first challenge they may face.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, employment discrimination on the basis of a disability, such as deafness, is illegal. However, these laws can be difficult to enforce, and your employer may ignore your requests for any reasonable accommodations you may need to do your job. It may be helpful to remember that, while you may experience certain challenges as a deaf employee, you should not have to tolerate or accept any type of discriminatory treatment.
What can you do if you are a victim?
If you are a victim of discrimination in your workplace because you are a deaf employee, there are legal options available to you. Discriminatory treatment in any form is unacceptable, regardless of where you work, and you do not have to remain silent. You may have grounds to pursue a claim against your employer, a course of action that gives you the opportunity to seek compensation and recovery of any losses you experienced.
