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

If an employee is a member of a legally protected class and their employer treats them unfairly because of that, the employer will be held liable for employment discrimination. 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 Shorewood, 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 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. Moreover, an employer violates the law if they terminate a person's employment or otherwise retaliate in response to a discrimination lawsuit filed against them.

Because it involves filing a claim with particular agencies, the procedure for pursuing employment discrimination claims can be complicated. An Shorewood, Illinois 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.