Human Rights Violations

Human Rights Lawyer Calgary

Understanding Human Rights Laws Calgary

Navigating the complexities of the workplace or the housing market is difficult enough without facing discrimination. When you receive unfair treatment at work based on who you are, it affects your livelihood and dignity. Understanding Human Rights Laws Calgary is essential for ensuring fair practices in our community. The Alberta Human Rights Act and the Canadian Human Rights Act for employees in federally regulated sectors offer robust shields against harassment and prejudice, yet these laws remain dense and difficult to interpret alone. Whether you own a business striving for inclusivity or are an individual who has suffered unjust treatment, our team at TZ Law provides the compassionate, strategic guidance required to secure your future.

Human Rights Issues in the Workplace

In modern workplaces, discrimination is often subtle, systemic, or wrapped in administrative language. The Alberta Human Rights Act specifically prohibits discrimination based on what are known as “protected grounds.”

When clients come to us looking for a lawyer, they have often experienced adverse treatment that doesn’t feel “fair,” but they need help connecting that feeling to the law. The protected grounds include:

• Age – being passed over for promotions due to nearing retirement, or dismissed because you are “too expensive” (often a code for age).
• Race, colour, ancestry, or place of origin – subtle exclusion from social circles that lead to professional advancement, or overt derogatory comments.
• Religious beliefs – such as failure to accommodate prayer times or religious holidays.
• Physical or mental disability – such as terminating an employee right after they suffer a physical or mental health condition.
• Gender, gender identity, or gender expression – issues ranging from wage gaps to harassment regarding pronouns or identity.
• Sexual orientation – homophobic jokes disguised as “shop talk” or exclusion from benefits.
• Family or marital status – being denied shifts because you have childcare obligations.

Our office is noticing claims in a growing area of concern involving “invisible disabilities.”We frequently assist clients navigating “invisible disabilities,” such as anxiety, substance addiction, or learning differences, which are often misunderstood by employers.

Furthermore, Alberta employers must strictly adhere to the Occupational Health and Safety Act regarding violence and harassment. Possessing written policies is insufficient; a failure to actively enforce safety creates significant legal liability.

What to Do If Your Human Rights Were Breached

Realizing your rights have been violated is a heavy burden. You may feel angry, humiliated, or afraid for your financial future. If an employer, landlord, or service provider has compromised your rights, you deserve more than just sympathy, you deserve justice.

If an employer compromises your rights, you deserve justice. At TZ Law, we fight for individuals to secure appropriate remedies. The legal system in Canada aims to put the victim of discrimination back in the position they would have been in had the discrimination not occurred. This “make whole” principle leads to several types of outcomes:

• Financial compensation for lost wages and injury to dignity.
• Non-financial remedies such as reinstatement to your job or a formal apology.
• In certain situations, the employer may be ordered to amend discriminatory practices.

It is important to note that discrimination rarely happens in isolation. In our experience, it is almost always accompanied by other legal issues like wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal (being forced to quit), or workplace harassment. For example, an employee might be fired for “performance,” but the performance issues only started after they requested accommodation for a disability. These situations are rarely simple. It is vital that you consult with an employment lawyer to untangle the web of events and discuss what rights may have been infringed.

What Does a Human Rights Lawyer Do?

The Alberta Human Rights Commission process is complex. It involves complaint forms, responses, conciliation, tribunal hearings, and strict deadlines. We guide clients through this entire complex process.

For employers, we determine if a complaint against you is likely to succeed and offer honest assessment. We manage accommodation obligations, draft defense documents, and represent you at hearings to minimize financial exposure.

For employees, we assess the validity of your claim. Self-represented individuals often struggle to succeed against legal teams. We negotiate on your behalf and represent you at mediation or Tribunal hearings to defend your rights.

Book a Consultation with Our Human Rights Lawyer to Discuss Your Claim

Do not try to navigate this system alone. The power imbalance between an individual and an organization is vast. A high percentage of self-represented litigants fail to advance their complaints successfully, often getting bogged down in procedural errors.

Worse, in many situations, we see employees accepting severance packages that release the employer from all liability, effectively signing away their human rights claims for pennies on the dollar. Viable claims and monetary damages are being left on the table without the employee ever realizing the value of what they gave up.

Contact TZ Law today to speak with an employment and human rights lawyer. We will review the treatment you received, explain exactly how it relates to protected human rights grounds, and find out if you have a reasonable claim. Let us handle the legal burden so you can focus on moving forward.

Why choose us?