Sanford Gender Discrimination Lawyer

Skilled Sanford Gender Discrimination Attorney

Workers in the US have a right to be treated fairly and respectfully in the workplace, regardless of their industry or location. Federal and state laws alike prohibit employers from engaging in discriminatory practices in the workplace, including discriminating against employees because of their gender. If you have experienced such actions at work, reach out to a Sanford gender discrimination lawyer for help.

Connect With an Effective Sanford Gender Discrimination Attorney

The legal team at the Law Offices of Gary A. Costales, P.A. understands how difficult it can be to stand up for yourself at work while citing gender discrimination laws. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much for an employer to retaliate against you for speaking up. If that happens, you can take legal action and make them face gender discrimination penalties.

A Sanford gender discrimination attorney like Gary A. Costales can bring years of focused experience and skill to your case. His experience serving as an administrative law judge and trial lawyer for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sets him apart from other Sanford gender discrimination lawyers.

What Is Gender Discrimination?

Gender discrimination is the unfair treatment of individuals based solely on their perceived gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. It limits an individual’s opportunities, rights, and access to certain resources. It creates a power imbalance that can be almost impossible to overcome in the workplace without legal help to forcibly change things. In 2025 alone, there were 2,066 instances of sex discrimination reported throughout the state of Florida.

In fiscal year 2025, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) secured $660 million for workers facing employment discrimination. Consequently, Florida had the second-highest number of EEOC federal-level charges in 2025. Furthermore, the gender pay gap in Florida provides male workers with 18% more income than female workers in full-time jobs. Female workers made about $0.85 for every $1.00 male workers made.

These are all factors that can contribute to a gender discrimination case. To identify acts of gender discrimination in your situation, hire a gender discrimination lawyer to help you develop your case and gather additional evidence.

If you choose to move forward with your gender discrimination case in Sanford, state-level gender discrimination cases are handled by the 18^th Judicial District Circuit Court of Seminole County. This court is located at the Sanford Criminal Justice Center on Eslinger Way.

If you’re pursuing federal charges, you can file with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Orlando.

Common Examples of Gender Discrimination at Work

It’s important to know exactly what gender discrimination looks like in the workplace. Gender discrimination is more common than most people realize. Many workers have experienced gender discrimination at work before but were unaware that the behavior was illegal. To hold your employer accountable for discriminating against you, learn to identify incidents of discrimination. Some common examples of gender discrimination in the workplace are below:

• Pay disparity. The wage gap is very real. If male and female employees doing the same job are being paid different wages, that can be considered a form of gender discrimination.
• Pregnancy discrimination. Federal anti-discrimination laws prohibit employers from discriminating against workers because of their protected traits, one of which is pregnancy. If you’re pregnant and your employer fires, demotes, or even refuses to hire you because of your pregnancy, you should contact an employment lawyer immediately and start working on your case.
• Job stereotyping. Some workplaces may automatically place male and female workers in stereotypical positions. They may assume that only male employees are fit for physically demanding jobs while relegating female employees solely to clerical or office work. If this is happening in your workplace, it’s recommended that you consult with an employment lawyer to find out what your options are.
• Hostile work environment. The last thing you want to deal with at work is a hostile work environment, but it’s unfortunately much more common than you may think. If your workplace is consistently filled with vulgar or derogatory comments towards women or does nothing to punish sexual harassers, you should speak with an employment lawyer.

FAQs

What Are the Gender Discrimination Laws in Florida?

Florida’s gender discrimination laws are largely governed by the state’s Civil Rights Act and similar federal legislation that protects employees and applicants alike from workplace discrimination and harassment based on protected traits. Those protected traits include gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy, among others. These laws include equal pay provisions, anti-harassment protections, and pronoun laws.

What Qualifies as Gender Discrimination in Florida?

Gender discrimination occurs when an employee or an applicant is treated unfairly in the workplace because of their perceived gender. If you’re a male worker and somebody believes you’re a female worker, the actions they take towards you can be seen as discriminatory. Acts of discrimination can include wage disparities, termination, and harassment.

Is It Illegal to Discriminate Based on Gender in Florida?

Yes, in Florida it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on their gender, especially in the workplace. If your employer discriminates against you because of your gender and you can prove it, contact an employment lawyer who can help you develop a strong case. Gather as much evidence as you can find to prove your story and support your claim. Evidence can include texts, emails, memos, voicemails, and witness statements.

Should I Hire a Gender Discrimination Lawyer?

Yes, you should hire a gender discrimination lawyer. If you choose to move forward with legal action on your own, you could be making a very big mistake. By placing your case in the hands of an experienced gender discrimination lawyer, you’re trusting someone who knows what they’re doing and knows how to help you.

Hire a Gender Discrimination Lawyer With Experience in Sanford

At the Law Offices of Gary A. Costales, P.A., we can assist you in building a strong case against your employer for gender discrimination. We can help you pursue back pay, pain and suffering, and other damages in compensation for what you’ve been through. Contact us to speak with a member of our knowledgeable legal team about your options.