Particular characteristics are protected against discrimination under both and federal laws in West Columbia and other communities of South Carolina. Government and private employers in West Columbia can be held liable under state and federal law depending on what kind of trait the discriminatory treatment was based upon.

How Does Employment Discrimination Occur?

An employer will be deemed guilty of employment discrimination if they treat an employee unfairly because they belong to a category that is legally protected. Employers are prohibited from using particular traits to evaluate you such as national origin, religion, race, age, familial status, or gender. To show employment discrimination in West Columbia, South Carolina, 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 South Carolina?

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, 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 filing an employment discrimination claim are complicated, because they involve filing the claim with the corresponding agency. An West Columbia, South Carolina 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.