In North Carolina, racial discrimination is illegal under both the U.S. Constitution and Title VII of the U.S. Code. Employers may not take race into account according to these laws when hiring or recruiting workers, or when deciding wages and promotion offers.

What Must Be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the federal agency in charge of investigating workplace discrimination, and employees discriminated against must file a claim with the EEOC before taking the issue to court. Race discrimination includes situations where an employer treats their employee differently from other employees who are of a different race or nationality.

To be successful in a racial discrimination claim, the Lexington employee must also show that their employee had the required intent to discriminate based upon the person's race. This intent is most often shown by proving that the employer preferentially treated those of other races and nationalities.

How Can a Lexington Lawyer Help with My Claim?

Also, sometimes statements that were recorded and made by the employer regarding racial issues can be used to prove intent. In this area of litigation, procedural laws will vary considerably depending on where the claim is filed, and a Lexington attorney will be knowledgeable of the requirements for your particular location. An experienced North Carolina lawyer will also guide you in filing your claim with the EEOC, as well as helping you obtain other forms of relief while your claim is being processed.