Under the U.S. Constitution and Title VII of the U.S. Code, racial discrimination is illegal in Michigan. Employers are barred according to theses laws from using race as a basis for hiring, recruitment, setting wage levels, or granting promotions.

What Must Be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the federal agency in charge of investigating workplace discrimination, and employees discriminated against must file a claim with the EEOC before taking the issue to court. Race discrimination includes situations where an employer treats their employee differently from other employees who are of a different race or nationality.

The Livingston County plaintiff must also be able to show that the employer acted with intent to discriminate based on race in order to succeed in a racial discrimination claim. This intent is most often shown by proving that the employer preferentially treated those of other races and nationalities.

How Can a Livingston County Lawyer Help with My Claim?

Furthermore, in some circumstances, recorded employer statements regarding racial issues can be used to prove their intent to discriminate. In this area of litigation, procedural laws will vary considerably depending on where the claim is filed, and a Livingston County attorney will be knowledgeable of the requirements for your particular location. Should you decide to file your claim at the EEOC, a Michigan lawyer will be able to help you out, and they can also point you towards other forms of remedies available to you while your claim is pending.