What is Employment Law in Indiana?
Map courtesy of Geology.com except where noted.
Indiana is situated in the Midwestern region of the U.S., near the Great Lakes. Indiana is noted for its highly developed sports teams, with representation in the NFL, NBA, and automobile racing. Its economy is largely supported by manufacturing, with the Calumet district being the largest steel producing region in the U.S.
Indiana's capital is the city of Indianapolis, which is the second largest state capital in the nation. The capitol building, Indiana Statehouse, is located there. The statehouse is home to the Indiana Supreme Court, the governor's office, and the state's legislature, the Indiana General Assembly. In the early days of Indiana's statehood, the General Assembly passed a series of laws encouraging industrial growth and protecting the rights of workers. These laws helped to secure Indiana's place as one of the nation's top industrial producers.
Indiana was one of the first states to adopt the "exclusionary rule", which prevents illegally obtained evidence from being used in court. The rule was first established in Callendar v. State, a 1917 case. In addition to the Supreme Court of Indiana, there are many other levels of courts, including the Superior Courts, Circuit Courts, and City and Town Courts.
Attorneys in Indiana work together with the judiciary to provide legal relief for citizens of the state. Lawyers in Indiana typically file cases at the Superior Court or Circuit Court level, depending on the type of claim involved. Indiana lawyers are frequently involved in protecting the rights and interests of Indiana residents.
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At-Will and Contract Employment
Most job relationships in Indiana are on the basis of "at will" employment, but in other cases there may be an employment contract with a set term. "At will" employment implies that either the employee or the employer may end the relationship at any point, so long as the reason for the termination is not illegal. Employment laws of Indiana will be of primary importance in order to determine the clauses and agreements when an employment contract is used.
The Law of Discrimination in Indiana
Indiana laws prohibiting discrimination generally apply at any stage of the employment process, including hiring, promotions and terminations. Specific categories, or classes, are created by Indiana law. Employers are prohibited from discriminating against persons based on their membership in classes such as age, race, disability, national origin, or religion. Lawyers in Indiana who specialize in employment discrimination can help determine which types of behavior would be defined as discrimination.
