Certain characteristics are protected against discrimination under both and federal laws in Astoria and other communities of Oregon. Depending on what type of trait prompted the discriminatory treatment, government employers and even private organizations in Astoria can be held liable under various state and federal laws.

How Does Employment Discrimination Occur?

Employment discrimination occurs if an employer treats you wrongly because of your membership in a legally protected category. 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, an Astoria, Oregon 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 Oregon?

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.

Procedures for pursuing an employment discrimination claim are complicated, because they involve filing the claim with the corresponding agency. An Astoria, Oregon lawyer can help you file in a timely manner, and while your case is pending, they can assist you in pursuing any available remedies.