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In Madison County, there are specific employment laws in place to prevent employers from discriminating against their workers. Private businesses and government organizations alike must abide by these discrimination laws. Otherwise, they could be subject to a lawsuit.
If you experienced discrimination at work, contact an experienced attorney to learn whether you are eligible to file a lawsuit. A Madison County workplace discrimination lawyer could advise you throughout the legal process.
What is Discrimination in the Workplace?
Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer does not give an employee the same respect as other employees because of a prejudice against protected characteristics. These characteristics commonly include:
- Gender
- Age
- Race
- Disability
- Marital Status
- Military service
- Religious affiliations
It is illegal to treat a worker unfairly or deprive them of opportunities because of these traits. An employer has a legal obligation to treat all their workers with dignity and respect. When employers violate this obligation, they could make themselves vulnerable to a discrimination lawsuit.
Workplace Discrimination Claims in Madison County
Workplace discrimination can take on many forms. An employee who wishes to file a claim against their employer could file three primary types: retaliation, discriminatory treatment or intent, or disparate impact.
Retaliation Claim
Employers cannot legally retaliate against employees for performing actions such as filing a workers’ compensation claim after an accident at work or reporting workplace safety or compliance violations to an appropriate government agency. If an employer demotes, fires, or transfers a worker because of these actions, the worker could file a retaliation claim.
Discriminatory Treatment Claim
A worker might file a discriminatory treatment claim when their employer treats them worse than other employees because of one or more of the protected traits listed above.
Disparate Impact
Someone who is penalized more severely for doing the same thing that a fellow employee has done could file a disparate impact claim. An example of disparate impact is when one worker receives a verbal warning and the other receives a write-up for constantly talking with one another instead of working.
How to File an Employment Discrimination Claim
Filing a discrimination claim is the first step in a prospective lawsuit. The plaintiff must file a claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Upon receiving the claim, EEOC will investigate the case and issue a Notice of Right to Sue if it believes the claim is valid.
A workplace discrimination attorney in Madison County could assist with the filing process and direct claimants on the steps to follow if they receive a Notice of Right to Sue. An attorney could be a crucial ally if the claimant proceeds with a lawsuit because this type of case can be tricky when trying to prove the discriminatory action.
Proving Discrimination
Unless an employer was overt about their prejudice, proving discrimination could be challenging. In most cases, discrimination is not blatant.
An attorney could work to obtain witness testimonies from the plaintiff’s coworkers or managers. If anyone can corroborate the victim’s claims, it may give them a higher chance of winning the lawsuit.
Work with a Madison County Employment Discrimination Attorney
If your employer has treated you unfairly due to prejudice, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. A Madison County workplace discrimination lawyer could provide valuable insights into your case and how to file an initial claim. Connect with a legal professional at our firm to schedule a consultation and learn more about your employment rights.
