The U.S. Constitution and Title VII of the U.S. Code both make racial discrimination illegal in the state of Virginia. According to these laws, employers may not take race into account when hiring, recruiting, deciding pay or offering promotions.
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 discrimination includes situations where an employer treats their employee differently from other employees who are of a different race or nationality.
To be able to prove a claim of racial discrimination, the Blacksburg plaintiff further needs to prove that the employer had an intent to discriminate, and that the discriminatory action was based on race. This intent is most often shown by proving that the employer preferentially treated those of other races and nationalities.
How Can a Blacksburg Lawyer Help with My Claim?
Furthermore, in some circumstances, recorded employer statements regarding racial issues can be used to show their intent to discriminate. Laws governing the procedures in discrimination will vary greatly depending on where the claim is filed, and Blacksburg attorneys will be able to help you with the requirements for your particular region. A good Virginia attorney will also be able to help you should you decide to file with the EEOC, and they can guide you towards other potential remedies while your case is pending.