Both Illinois and the federal government have passed laws that prohibiting discrimination on the basis of particular protected characteristics. In St. Clair County, 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 St. Clair County, Illinois, in order to succeed on an employment discrimination claim, the plaintiff must show that the employer's intent in treating them differently was based on the protected status.

How can Employment Discrimination be Proven in Illinois?

This may be shown if the employer has treated others of the same status similarly, or when people testify to certain statements made by the employer that would indicate bias when heard by a reasonable person. 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.

Pursuing an employment discrimination claim can often be complicated, because they involve filing your claim with particular agencies. An St. Clair County, 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.