Both Iowa and the federal government have passed laws that prohibiting discrimination on the basis of certain protected characteristics. Employers in the city of Muscatine, whether public or private, can be held liable under federal and state laws depending on the type of trait first 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 category that is legally protected. Race, gender, religion, familial status and national origin are examples of some traits that employers can not use when evaluating you. In Muscatine, Iowa, in order to succeed on an employment discrimination claim, the plaintiff must show that the employer's intent in treating them differently was based on the protected status.

How can Employment Discrimination be Proven in Iowa?

This is shown 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 understand to be biased. Furthermore, an employer violates the law if they terminate a person's employment or otherwise retaliate in response to a discrimination lawsuit filed against them.

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