Both Florida and the federal government have passed laws that prohibiting discrimination on the basis of particular protected characteristics. Under state and Federal law, both private and public employers in Lakeland may be found liable for discrimination, depending on what type of trait originally prompted the discrimination.
How Does Employment Discrimination Occur?
Employment discrimination can occur if the employer treats an employee unfairly based on their membership in a class that is legally protected. Employers may not base their evaluations of you on particular traits including religion, race, age, gender, national origin, and familial status. In order for a claim of employment discrimination to be proven, a Lakeland, Florida plaintiff must show that his (or her) employer actively intended to treat him differently because of his protected status.
How can Employment Discrimination be Proven in Florida?
This can be shown if the employer has a history of mistreating people of the same status, or if individuals testify regarding the employer's specific statements that a reasonable person would conclude are biased. Additionally, employers who fire someone or retaliate against them for bringing a discrimination lawsuit are clearly in violation of the law.
Employment discrimination claims have complicated filing procedures, because they involve pursuing the claim with specific agencies. Lakeland, Florida 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.