Under the U.S. Constitution and Title VII of the U.S. Code, racial discrimination is illegal in Massachusetts. These laws prohibit employers from taking race into account in procedures for hiring, determining wage levels, or promotions and benefits.
What Must Be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the federal agency in charge of investigating workplace discrimination, and employees discriminated against must file a claim with the EEOC before taking the matter to court. Racial discrimination claims involve situations where an employers treat workers differently than other workers who are of a different race.
The Scituate plaintiff must also be able to prove that the employer acted with intent to discriminate based on race in order to succeed in a racial discrimination claim. This intent is most often proven by showing that the employer preferentially treated those of other races and nationalities.
How Can a Scituate Lawyer Help with My Claim?
Additionally, in some circumstances, recorded employer statements regarding racial issues can be used to prove their intent to discriminate. Laws of procedure vary greatly in this area of law depending on where you file your claim, and local Scituate lawyers will be familiarized with the requirements of your geographical region. Should you decide to file your claim at the EEOC, a Massachusetts lawyer will be able to help you out, and they can also point you towards other types of remedies available to you while your claim is pending.