Laws have been passed under both Oklahoma and federal governments which prohibit discriminating on the basis of defined protected characteristics. In Ponca City, 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. Race, gender, religion, familial status and national origin are examples of some traits that employers may not use when evaluating you. In order for a claim of employment discrimination to be proven, a Ponca City, 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 can be shown if the employer has a history of mistreating people of the same status, or if individuals testify regarding the employer's specific statements that a reasonable person would conclude are biased. Additionally, employers who fire someone or retaliate against them for bringing a discrimination lawsuit are clearly in violation of the law.

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