and Federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of particular protected characteristics, both in Washington and elswhere in the state. In Washington, government and private organizations may be held liable for discrimination, depending on what type of trait the unfair treatment was originally based on.

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. Race, gender, religion, familial status and national origin are examples of some traits that employers may not use when evaluating you. In order for a claim of employment discrimination to be proven, a Washington, Missouri 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 Missouri?

This can be shown if the employer has a history of mistreating people of the same status, or if individuals testify regarding the employer's specific statements that a reasonable person would conclude are biased. Additionally, employers who fire someone or retaliate against them for bringing a discrimination lawsuit are clearly in violation of the law.

The procedure for pursuing an employment discrimination claim is complicated, since it involves filing a claim with particular agencies. An attorney in Washington, Missouri can assist you in filing on time, as well as pursuing other remedies that are available to you while your claim is pending.