Under the U.S. Constitution, as well as Title VII of the U.S. Code, it is banned to discriminate on the basis of race in the state of Pennsylvania. 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. Racial discrimination claims involve situations where an employers treat employees differently than other employees who are of a different race.

The Lewistown plaintiff must additionally be able to show that the employer acted with intent to discriminate based on race in order to succeed in a racial discrimination claim. The employer's intent can often be shown by showing that other people of different races were treated preferentially.

How Can a Lewistown Lawyer Help with My Claim?

In some cases also, recorded statements made by the employer about racial issues can be used to show intent. In this area of litigation, procedural laws will vary considerably depending on where the claim is filed, and a Lewistown attorney will be knowledgeable of the requirements for your particular location. Additionally, a Pennsylvania attorney can assist you when you file your claim with the EEOC, and they may be able to help you obtain other kinds of relief during the time period when your case is pending.