Under the U.S. Constitution, as well as Title VII of the U.S. Code, it is prohibited to discriminate on the basis of race in the state of Tennessee. According to such laws, an employer cannot use race as the basis for making decisions regarding hiring, recruitment, wage levels, or promotion offers.

What Must Be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?

The federal agency that is in charge of investigations of workplace discrimination is the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Before taking issues to court, employees that have been discriminated against must file their claim with the EEOC. Race or nationality discrimination involves an employer treating you adversely than those you work with that are of other races or nationalities.

To be able to prove a claim of racial discrimination, the Cookeville plaintiff further needs to prove that the employer had an intent to discriminate, and that the discriminatory action was based on race. The employer's intent can often be shown by showing that other people of different races were treated preferentially.

How Can a Cookeville Lawyer Help with My Claim?

In some cases also, recorded statements made by the employer about racial issues can be used to prove intent. Depending on where you file your claim, the procedural laws will vary considerably, and so a Cookeville lawyer will help familiarize you with the requirements for your district. An experienced Tennessee lawyer will also assist you in filing your claim with the EEOC, as well as helping you obtain other forms of relief while your claim is being processed.