Laws have been passed under both Mississippi and federal governments which prohibit discriminating on the basis of defined protected characteristics. Depending on what type of trait prompted the discriminatory treatment, government employers and even private organizations in Ridgeland can be held liable under various state and federal laws.

How Does Employment Discrimination Occur?

Employment discrimination occurs if an employer treats you wrongly because of your membership in a legally protected category. Employers may not base their evaluations of you on particular traits including religion, race, age, gender, national origin, and familial status. In order for a claim of employment discrimination to be proven, a Ridgeland, Mississippi 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 Mississippi?

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. Further, an employer violates the law if they terminate a person's employment or otherwise retaliate in response to a discrimination lawsuit filed against them.

Procedures for pursuing an employment discrimination claim are complicated, because they involve filing the claim with the corresponding agency. An Ridgeland, Mississippi 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.