Under the U.S. Constitution and Title VII of the U.S. Code, racial discrimination is banned in Louisiana. According to such laws, an employer cannot use race as the basis for making decisions regarding hiring, recruitment, wage levels, or promotion opportunities.

What Must Be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?

The federal agency known as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has the authority to conduct investigations of workplace discrimination, and employees must file their discrimination claims wih the EEOC prior to suing in a civil court. To prove racial discrimination, an employer must treat an employee differently than co-workers who are of a different race or nationality.

In order to succeed on a claim for racial discrimination, the Gonzales plaintiff must additionally prove that their employer intended to base the discrimination on race or nationality. Proof of an employer's intent to discriminate can be shown if they have preferentially treated workers of different races than the plaintiff.

How Can a Gonzales Lawyer Help with My Claim?

In some cases also, recorded statements made by the employer about racial issues can be used to show intent. Depending on where you file your claim, the procedural laws will vary greatly, and so a Gonzales lawyer will help familiarize you with the requirements for your district. An experienced Louisiana lawyer will also help you in filing your claim with the EEOC, as well as helping you obtain other types of relief while your claim is being processed.