Both Georgia and the federal government have passed laws that prohibiting discrimination on the basis of specific protected characteristics. Employers in the city of Oakwood, whether public or private, may be held liable under federal and state laws depending on the type of trait first prompted the discrimination.

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. Some traits which employers are not allowed to evaluate employees with are: race, age, national origin, religion, familial status, and gender. In order for a claim of employment discrimination to be proven, an Oakwood, Georgia 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 Georgia?

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.

Procedures for pursuing an employment discrimination claim are complicated, because they involve filing the claim with the corresponding agency. An Oakwood, Georgia attorney can help you file on time, as well as pursue any additional remedies that may be available to you while your case is pending.