and Federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of certain protected characteristics, both in Orleans Parish and elswhere in the state. Under state and Federal law, both private and public employers in Orleans Parish may be found liable for discrimination, depending on what type of trait originally prompted the discrimination.

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 Orleans Parish, Louisiana 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 Louisiana?

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

Procedures for pursuing an employment discrimination claim are complicated, because they involve filing the claim with the corresponding agency. An Orleans Parish, Louisiana attorney can help you file on time, as well as pursue any additional remedies that may be available to you while your case is pending.