Under the U.S. Constitution, as well as Title VII of the U.S. Code, it is prohibited to discriminate on the basis of race in the state of Pennsylvania. Employers may not take race into account according to these laws when hiring or recruiting workers, or when determining wages and promotion offers.

What Must Be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?

The federal agency known as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has the authority to conduct investigations of workplace discrimination, and employees must file their discrimination claims wih the EEOC prior to suing in a civil court. Race or nationality discrimination involves an employer treating you differently than those you work with that are of other races or nationalities.

To be able to prove a claim of racial discrimination, the Westmoreland County plaintiff further needs to show that the employer had an intent to discriminate, and that the discriminatory action was based on race. Intent may be proved by demonstrating that the employer gave preferential treatment to people of other races or nationalities.

How Can a Westmoreland County Lawyer Help with My Claim?

In some cases also, recorded statements made by the employer about racial issues can be used to prove intent. Laws of procedure vary greatly in this area of law depending on where you file your claim, and local Westmoreland County lawyers will be familiarized with the requirements of your geographical region. Should you decide to file your claim at the EEOC, a Pennsylvania lawyer will be able to help you out, and they can also point you towards other types of remedies available to you while your claim is pending.