Alberta Human Rights Lawyers

Multicultural team Everyone has certain rights simply because he or she is human. The role of human rights and of employment lawyers are not to help businesses grant you these rights, but to make sure the rights you already have are recognized and respected.

According to the Canadian Human Rights Act, federal agencies, businesses, and private businesses regulated by the federal government cannot discriminate against you on any of the following grounds:

Race
National origin / ethicity
Colour
Religion
Age
Sex
Sexual orientation
Marital status
Family status
Disability
Criminal record for convictions that have been pardoned or records that have been suspended

Such discrimination can take many forms. One of the most obvious means of discrimination is refusal to hire or promote individuals in a certain category, but there are also many more subtle ways employers can discriminate, such as creating employment policies that fail to give certain people an equal opportunity at employment or paying someone in a different category a lower wage for the same work and level of performance.

Harassment is a method of special interest, since this is one of the most subtle, yet damaging means of trying to discourage a person from continuing his or her employment. Although people commonly think of harassment as unwanted sexual advances or attention, it can be any form of verbal or nonverbal communication that is intended to annoy, anger, or intimidate.

Failure to provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities or with religious or family obligations can also be a form of discrimination, unless it causes undo hardship on the company.

At Chivers Carpenter, our employment lawyers have over 30 years experience in representing individuals who have been the victim of human rights violations, and we have the detailed knowledge you need. Give us a call today to discuss your situation at (780) 439-3611.