Is it discrimination if a doctor’s office does not hire you because you are a patient there?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Is it discrimination if a doctor’s office does not hire you because you are a patient there?
Asked on August 18, 2011 Pennsylvania
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Workplace discrimination occurs if someone who is in a "protected class" is given less favorable treatment because of their membership in that class. The following characteristics are considered "protected classes" for which a person cannot be discriminated against: race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, and in some jurisdictions, sexual orientation, gender identity, and "familial status" (e.g. married vs unmarried; parent vs childless). So, for example, if you weren't hired because you are a woman that is actionable discrimination. But if you were not hired because you are a patient of the practice, that does not constitute legal discrimination.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.