Laws have been passed under both Nevada and federal governments which prohibit discriminating on the basis of specified protected characteristics. Employers in the city of Elko, whether public or private, can be held liable under federal and state laws depending on the type of trait first prompted the discrimination.

How Does Employment Discrimination Occur?

Employment discrimination occurs when an employer treats you unfairly because you belong to a legally protected category. Some traits which employers are not allowed to evaluate employees with include: race, age, national origin, religion, familial status, and gender. To show employment discrimination in Elko, Nevada, the plaintiff needs to be able to show that the employer's intent to treat them unfairly was motivated by their protected status.

How can Employment Discrimination be Proven in Nevada?

This may be shown if the employer has treated others of the same status similarly, or when people testify to certain statements made by the employer that would indicate bias when heard by a reasonable person. Furthermore, employers are in clear violation of the law when they fire someone or retaliate against them because they filed a discrimination lawsuit.

Procedures for filing an employment discrimination claim are complicated, because they involve filing the claim with the corresponding agency. An Elko, Nevada attorney can help you file on time, as well as pursue any further remedies that may be available to you while your case is pending.