Human Rights Violations

Protecting Your Rights: Understanding Human Rights Violations

If you’re being bullied or harassed at work, it can feel like you’re all alone. But in Ontario, employees, contractors, and other workers are protected from harassment and discrimination on the basis of certain enumerated grounds, covered by the Ontario Human Rights Code. Our team of human rights lawyers can help assess the specifics of your case and help protect you from further abuse while negotiating compensation for injuries to your dignity, feelings, and self-respect.

If you are an employer, click here.

What Are Human Rights Violations?

Human rights violations occur when an individual’s rights are infringed upon, often by another individual or organization. In the workplace, this can manifest in many different ways, including discrimination or harassment based on protected grounds such as age, ancestry, race, citizenship, ethnicity, creed, disability, family status, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, receipt of public assistance, record of offences, sex, or sexual orientation.

Discrimination and harassment can take many forms, and may be difficult to detect or prove without the help of an experienced human rights lawyer. You don’t have to face these issues alone – our team can help assess the situation and determine the best course of action to protect your rights.

What Are Your Protected Rights?

The Ontario Human Rights Code and the Canadian Human Rights Act protect the following rights:

• Age
• Ancestry, colour, race
• Citizenship
• Ethnic origin
• Place of origin
• Creed
• Disability
• Family status
• Marital status (even if you are single)
• Gender identity, gender expression (whether you identify as Trans or even if you are cisgender)
• Receipt of public assistance
• Record of offences
• Sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, or breastfeeding)
• Sexual orientation (even if you are straight or cisgender)

If you believe that you have been discriminated against on any of these grounds, our human rights lawyers can help you understand your rights and take action to protect them.

What Are General Damages In Human Rights Violations Cases?

General damages are non-taxable funds paid to the employee, without deductions of any sort, to compensate for the injury to your dignity, feelings, and human rights violations. In other words, they are intended to compensate you for the emotional and psychological harm caused by the discrimination or harassment you’ve experienced.

The amount of general damages awarded in a human rights case can vary widely, depending on the circumstances of the case. On the low end, it may be a few thousand dollars, while in more severe cases it could be as much as $30,000 or more. Ultimately, the amount awarded by an adjudicator or vice-chair at the Tribunal will depend on a range of factors, including the discriminatory events, their degree, effect, and various other factors that can mean a big difference in the amount awarded.

What Are Special Damages in Human Rights Cases?

In addition to general damages, you may also be entitled to special damages if you’ve suffered financial losses as a result of the discrimination or harassment you’ve experienced. Special damages are a category of damages that compensate you for lost wages as well as other expenses. These funds are generally taxable, but there are ways a skilled human rights violations lawyer can help you structure a settlement to minimize your tax liability when possible.

If you’ve been discriminated against by your employer, you may be entitled to lost wages from the date of termination until the date of a hearing, or until you find comparable employment. Other expenses, such as legal fees or medical expenses related to your injuries, may also be compensated through special damages.

Protecting Your Rights: Contact Us Today

If you’ve experienced discrimination or harassment at work, it’s important to take action to protect your rights and seek compensation for any damages you’ve suffered. Our team of human rights lawyers has years of experience in helping individuals navigate the complex legal landscape surrounding human rights violations.

Whether you’re seeking general damages for emotional and psychological harm or special damages for financial losses, we can help you understand your options and fight for your rights.

Contact us at 1 (800) 771-7882, or email [email protected] and we would be happy to assist.