Both Iowa and the federal government have passed laws that prohibiting discrimination on the basis of specific protected characteristics. In Washington, 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?

Employment discrimination occurs if an employer treats you wrongly because of your membership in a legally protected category. Race, gender, religion, familial status and national origin are examples of some traits that employers may not use when evaluating you. In order for a claim of employment discrimination to be proven, a Washington, Iowa 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 Iowa?

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. 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.

Pursuing an employment discrimination claim can often be complicated, because they involve filing your claim with specific agencies. A Washington, Iowa lawyer can help you file in a timely manner, and while your case is pending, they can assist you in pursuing any available remedies.