Both Illinois and the federal government have passed laws that prohibiting discrimination on the basis of particular protected characteristics. In Crestwood, 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?

An employer will be deemed guilty of employment discrimination if they treat an employee unfairly because they belong to a category that is legally protected. Some traits which employers are not allowed to evaluate employees with include: race, age, national origin, religion, familial status, and gender. In order for a claim of employment discrimination to be successful, a Crestwood, Illinois 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 Illinois?

This can 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. Furthermore, employers are in clear violation of the law when they fire someone or retaliate against them because they filed a discrimination lawsuit.

Pursuing an employment discrimination claim can often be complicated, because they involve filing your claim with particular agencies. Lawyers in the city of Crestwood, Illinois may direct you in filing your claim on time, and while your case is pending, they can help you pursue further remedies that might be available for you.