Specific characteristics are protected against discrimination under both and federal laws in Fairfax County and other communities of Virginia. In Fairfax County, government and private organizations may be held liable for discrimination, depending on what type of trait the unfair treatment was originally based on.

How Does Employment Discrimination Occur?

An employer will be found guilty of employment discrimination if they treat an employee unfairly because they belong to a class that is legally protected. Traits that employers may not use to evaluate you include race, national origin, gender, religion and familial status. In Fairfax County, Virginia, in order to succeed on an employment discrimination claim, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the employer's intent in treating them differently was based on the protected status.

How can Employment Discrimination be Proven in Virginia?

This is demonstrated upon finding a prior history of similar treatment of members of the same class, or upon testimony regarding the employer's statements that a reasonable person would hold to be biased. Further, an employer violates the law if they terminate a person's employment or otherwise retaliate in response to a discrimination lawsuit filed against them.

The procedure for pursuing an employment discrimination claim is complicated, since it involves filing a claim with particular agencies. A Fairfax County, Virginia lawyer can help you file in a timely manner, and while your case is pending, they can assist you in pursuing any available remedies.