It is against the law for an employer to refuse to give you a job or to discriminate against you because of your race, religion, color, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, sex, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy.  Unfortunately, it may be very difficult to prove that the employer’s reason is an illegal one.  If you experience discrimination in the workplace, you can contact the following local, state or federal agencies for help:

• Visit the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission website or call (907) 343-4342.
• Visit the Alaska State Human Rights Commission website or phone (907) 274-4692.
• Visit the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission website or phone (800) 669-4000.

Sexual harassment is another form of discrimination that is against the law.  In general, it means unwelcome sexual behavior in the workplace by a supervisor, co-worker, or client.  This might include sexual comments, pressure for sexual favors, inappropriate touching, or even a sexual assault.  It also might be one employee subjecting another to frequent unwelcome sexual jokes or hanging degrading posters of women or men.  If you are being sexually harassed, you generally will have to file a report with your employer.  If your report does not stop the harassment, if the person who is harassing you is the head of the company, or if your employer retaliates against you for your complaint, you can make a report to one of the Commissions listed above.  You can find more information, including definitions of discrimination, retaliation, hostile environment, sexual harassment, and other terms in more detail on the websites listed above.