Discrimination Under West Virginia Law
The Federal government as well as the state of West Virginia have enacted laws which make it illegal to discriminate based on specified protected characteristics. Government and private employers in Wheeling may be held liable under state and federal law depending on what kind of trait the discriminatory treatment was based upon.
How Does Employment Discrimination Occur?
Employment discrimination is when an employer treats you unfairly because you belong to a legally protected class. Employers are prohibited from using certain traits to evaluate you such as national origin, religion, race, age, familial status, or gender. To prove employment discrimination in Wheeling, West Virginia, the plaintiff needs to be able to show that the employer's intent to treat them unfairly was motivated by their protected status.
How can Employment Discrimination be Proven in West Virginia?
This may be proved when there is a history of the employer treating members of the class similarly, or if witnesses testify about the employer's statements which would constitute bias as understood by a reasonable person. Additionally, employers are in clear violation of the law when they fire someone or retaliate against them because they filed a discrimination lawsuit.
The procedure for pursuing an employment discrimination claim is complicated, since it involves filing a claim with specific agencies. Wheeling, West Virginia has many lawyers available to assist you in filing in a timely fashion, and they can also help you pursue any remedies that might be available to you while your case is being processed.
