Both Illinois and the federal government have passed laws that prohibiting discrimination on the basis of specific protected characteristics. In Oak Lawn, 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?
If an employee is a member of a legally protected category and their employer treats them unfairly because of that, the employer will be held liable for employment discrimination. 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 Oak Lawn, 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 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 who fire someone or retaliate against them for bringing a discrimination lawsuit are clearly in violation of the law.
Because it involves filing a claim with particular agencies, the procedure for pursuing employment discrimination claims can be complicated. An attorney in Oak Lawn, Illinois can assist you in filing on time, as well as pursuing other remedies that are available to you while your claim is pending.