Laws have been passed under both North Carolina 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 Burke County can be held liable under various state and federal laws.

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. Some traits which employers are not allowed to evaluate employees with are: race, age, national origin, religion, familial status, and gender. Plaintiffs in Burke County, North Carolina are required to prove that their employer treated them unfairly due to their protected status in order to succeed on an employment discrimination claim.

How can Employment Discrimination be Proven in North Carolina?

This may be proved when there is a history of the employer treating members of the class similarly, or if witnesses testify about the employer's statements which would constitute bias as understood by a reasonable person. Moreover, an employer who fires someone or otherwise retaliates because of a discrimination lawsuit is in clear violation of the law.

Pursuing an employment discrimination claim can often be complicated, because they involve filing your claim with specific agencies. A Burke County, North Carolina lawyer can help you file in a timely manner, and while your case is pending, they can assist you in pursuing any available remedies.