Particular characteristics are protected against discrimination under both and federal laws in Emporia and other communities of Virginia. In Emporia, government and private organizations may be held liable for discrimination, depending on what type of trait the unfair treatment was originally based on.

How Does Employment Discrimination Occur?

An employer will be found guilty of employment discrimination if they treat an employee unfairly because they belong to a class that is legally protected. Traits that employers may not use to evaluate you include race, national origin, gender, religion and familial status. In Emporia, Virginia, in order to succeed on an employment discrimination claim, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the employer's intent in treating them differently was based on the protected status.

How can Employment Discrimination be Proven in Virginia?

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. Additionally, an employer who fires someone or otherwise retaliates because of a discrimination lawsuit is in clear violation of the law.

Because it involves filing a claim with certain agencies, the procedure for pursuing employment discrimination claims can be complicated. An attorney in Emporia, Virginia can assist you in filing on time, as well as pursuing other remedies that are available to you while your claim is pending.