and Federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of certain protected characteristics, both in Grand Rapids and elswhere in the state. Employers in the city of Grand Rapids, whether public or private, can be held liable under federal and state laws depending on the type of trait first prompted the discrimination.
How Does Employment Discrimination Occur?
An employer will be deemed guilty of employment discrimination if they treat an employee unfairly because they belong to a category that is legally protected. Some traits which employers are not allowed to evaluate employees with include: race, age, national origin, religion, familial status, and gender. Plaintiffs in Grand Rapids, Michigan are required to show that their employer treated them unfairly due to their protected status in order to prevail on an employment discrimination claim.
How can Employment Discrimination be Proven in Michigan?
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. Additionally, an employer who fires someone or otherwise retaliates because of a discrimination lawsuit is in clear violation of the law.
Employment discrimination claims have complicated filing procedures, because they involve pursuing the claim with particular agencies. Lawyers in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan may direct you in filing your claim on time, and while your case is pending, they can help you pursue further remedies that might be available for you.