and Federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of specificed protected characteristics, both in Ottawa County and elswhere in the state. Employers in the city of Ottawa County, whether public or private, may be held liable under federal and state laws depending on the type of trait first prompted the discrimination.

How Does Employment Discrimination Occur?

Employment discrimination can occur if the employer treats an employee unfairly based on their membership in a class that is legally protected. Traits that employers may not use to evaluate you include race, national origin, gender, religion and familial status. The plaintiff must prove that their employer intended to treat them unfairly because of their protected status in order to prevail on a discrimination claim in Ottawa County, Michigan.

How can Employment Discrimination be Proven in Michigan?

This is demonstrated 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 hold to be biased. Additionally, employers are in clear violation of the law when they fire someone or retaliate against them because they filed a discrimination lawsuit.

Employment discrimination claims have complicated filing procedures, because they involve pursuing the claim with specific agencies. An Ottawa County, Michigan 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.