Both Iowa and the federal government have passed laws that prohibiting discrimination on the basis of particular protected characteristics. In Winterset, government and private organizations can be held liable for discrimination, depending on what type of trait the unfair treatment was initially based on.

How Does Employment Discrimination Occur?

Employment discrimination occurs when an employer treats you wrongly because of your membership in a legally protected class. Race, gender, religion, familial status and national origin are examples of some traits that employers can not use when evaluating you. In order for a claim of employment discrimination to be successful, a Winterset, 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 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, 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 particular agencies. A Winterset, Iowa lawyer can help you file in a timely manner, and while your case is pending, they can help you in pursuing any available remedies.