Laws have been passed under both Oklahoma and federal governments which prohibit discriminating on the basis of defined protected characteristics. In Guthrie, government and private organizations may be held liable for discrimination, depending on what type of trait the unfair treatment was originally based on.

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. In order for a claim of employment discrimination to be proven, a Guthrie, Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma?

This is demonstrated upon finding a prior history of similar treatment of members of the same class, or upon testimony regarding the employer's statements that a reasonable person would hold to be 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.

Because it involves filing a claim with specificed agencies, the procedure for pursuing employment discrimination claims can be complicated. An Guthrie, Oklahoma 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.