No employee should be judged by race, gender, age, pregnancy, disability, sex, or other protected characteristics. Yet workplace discrimination continues to affect workers across Tennessee.
At Hunter Employment Law, we represent those employees. Our attorneys are trial-ready, and we focus on employment and civil rights cases. We provide the personal attention of a boutique firm while delivering the courtroom strength needed to hold employers accountable.
What Is Employment Discrimination?
Employment discrimination happens when an employer makes decisions about hiring, pay, promotion, discipline, or termination based on protected characteristics rather than performance or qualifications.
Federal Protections
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 → prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, and national origin.
- Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) → ensures reasonable accommodations for pregnancy and related conditions.
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) → protects workers age 40 and older.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) → prohibits disability discrimination and requires reasonable accommodations.
- Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) → protects employees from discrimination based on military service or obligation, and ensures the right to be reemployed after serving in the armed forces.
- Equal Pay Act (EPA) → requires that men and women performing substantially equal work in the same workplace receive equal pay. Employers cannot pay employees differently based on sex for jobs requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility under similar working conditions.
Tennessee State Protections
- Tennessee Human Rights Act (THRA) → mirrors Title VII, covering race, sex, religion, creed, color, age (40+), and national origin.
- Tennessee Disability Act (TDA) → covers disability discrimination at the state level.
- Division of Civil Rights Enforcement (CRED) → As of 2025, this agency enforces state employment discrimination law, replacing the Tennessee Human Rights Commission.
- Tennessee Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) → requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide reasonable accommodations for employees and applicants affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship.
Protected Classes in Tennessee
- Race or color
- Sex, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity
- Pregnancy or related conditions
- Age (40 or older)
- Disability (physical, mental, or perceived)
- Religion or creed
- National origin
- Military status
Common Examples of Workplace Discrimination
- Hiring and Promotion → Being passed over due to race, gender, age, pregnancy, or any other protected class.
- Compensation → Unequal pay for the same work based on sex or race.
- Harassment → Derogatory comments, slurs, or conduct creating a hostile work environment. (See our Sexual Harassment page.)
- Termination → Firing based on disability, pregnancy, or age.
- Failure to Accommodate → Refusing reasonable accommodations for a disability or pregnancy.
- Unequal Policies → Applying rules differently to certain groups of employees.
The Legal Process for Employment Discrimination Claims in Tennessee
Step 1: Case Evaluation
We begin by reviewing your experience, documents, and timeline to determine your eligibility and next steps.
Step 2: Filing an Administrative Complaint
Federal claims → filed with the EEOC.
State claims → filed with the Tennessee Division of Civil Rights Enforcement (CRED).
In many cases, these agencies have a work-sharing agreement, so filing with one may preserve your rights under both.
Important Deadline: Employees must file a charge with the EEOC or CRED within 180 days of the discriminatory action (sometimes extended to 300 days if both state and federal law apply). This is a very short timeline — missing it can permanently bar your claim. At Hunter Employment Law, we handle this filing process for our clients to protect their rights.
Step 3: Investigation
After a charge is filed, the agency may investigate, dismiss, or attempt mediation. Even if the agency does not fully pursue your case, your filing preserves your legal right to bring the claim in federal court later. This step is critical — without it, employees generally cannot move forward with a lawsuit.
Step 4: Right-to-Sue Letter
After the agency investigates your claim, you are issued a Right-to-Sue letter, which allows you to file your case in federal or state court. This document is essential — without it, most discrimination claims cannot proceed to litigation.
Step 5: Litigation
If settlement is not reached, we pursue your case in state or federal court. Hunter Employment Law is prepared to go to trial to secure justice for our clients.
Statute of Limitations and Filing Deadlines in Tennessee
| Claim Type | Deadline to File with EEOC | Tennessee Agency Deadline | Court Filing Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discrimination under Title VII, ADA, ADEA | 180 days (300 if also covered by state law) | Typically within 180 days of incident | 90 days after Right-to-Sue letter |
| THRA / TDA (State Law) | N/A | 180 days with CRED | 1 year from discriminatory act (if bypassing agency) |
Deadlines are strict. Missing them can mean losing your case. That’s why speaking with an attorney quickly is critical.
Industries Where Discrimination Often Occurs in Tennessee
- Healthcare → nurses, doctors, and medical staff facing sex, pregnancy, or disability discrimination.
- Corporate Offices → tech, finance, and entertainment workers in Nashville encountering unequal treatment or retaliation.
- Manufacturing & Industrial → age and race discrimination among plant and utility workers.
Local Representation Across Middle Tennessee
Our attorneys represent clients across Tennessee, with a focus on Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, and Murfreesboro. We know the industries, the courts, and the employers, which helps us build stronger, tailored cases.
Remedies Available in Employment Discrimination Cases
- Back pay and lost wages
- Reinstatement to your job
- Compensatory damages (emotional distress, pain and suffering)
- Punitive damages (for egregious misconduct)
- Attorney’s fees and costs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if my treatment at work counts as discrimination?
A: If you were treated differently because of a legally protected characteristic (race, sex, pregnancy, disability, etc.), you may have a claim. We can evaluate your situation.
Q: Can my employer fire me for reporting discrimination?
A: No. Retaliation for reporting discrimination is unlawful under federal and Tennessee law. Retaliation cases are often among the strongest claims we pursue. See our Retaliation page.
Q: Do I have to file with the EEOC before suing?
A: Yes. Most federal discrimination claims require filing with the EEOC and obtaining a Right-to-Sue letter before going to court.
Q: What if my company is small?
A: Federal law covers employers with 15+ employees. Tennessee law also requires certain thresholds. We will assess whether your employer meets coverage requirements.
Q: How much time do I have to act?
A: In most cases, you have 180 days to file with the EEOC (sometimes extended to 300 days if both state and federal law apply). Some state law claims must be filed within one year. Act quickly to preserve your rights.
Why Choose Hunter Employment Law
- Boutique, High-Touch Service → You work directly with experienced attorneys.
- Trial-Ready → We prepare every case as if it will go to court.
- Client-Focused Values → Compassionate advocacy combined with strategic litigation.
- Experienced Negotiators → While we are ready to take cases to trial, our attorneys are also skilled negotiators who frequently achieve favorable settlements without the stress of litigation.
Schedule Your Case Evaluation Today
If you believe you’ve been discriminated against at work in Tennessee, don’t wait. Deadlines are short, and your employer already has legal counsel. Contact Hunter Employment Law to schedule a confidential case evaluation with one of our experienced employment discrimination attorneys.
