In Montana, racial discrimination is illegal under both the U.S. Constitution and Title VII of the U.S. Code. According to these laws, employers may not take race into account when hiring, recruiting, determining pay or offering promotions.

What Must Be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?

The federal agency known as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has the authority to conduct investigations of workplace discrimination, and employees must file their discrimination claims wih the EEOC prior to suing in a civil court. To prove racial discrimination, an employer must treat an employee differently than co-workers who are of a different race or nationality.

To be able to prove a claim of racial discrimination, the Livingston plaintiff also needs to show that the employer had an intent to discriminate, and that the discriminatory action was based on race. This intent is most often proven by showing that the employer preferentially treated those of other races and nationalities.

How Can a Livingston Lawyer Help with My Claim?

Additionally, in some circumstances, recorded employer statements regarding racial issues can be used to prove their intent to discriminate. In this area of litigation, procedural laws will vary greatly depending on where the claim is filed, and a Livingston attorney will be knowledgeable of the requirements for your particular location. Should you decide to file your claim at the EEOC, a Montana 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.