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

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. Traits that employers can not use to evaluate you include race, national origin, gender, religion and familial status. To show employment discrimination in Harrisonburg, Virginia, 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 Virginia?

This can be proved when there is a history of the employer treating members of the class similarly, or if witnesses testify about the employer's statements which would constitute bias as understood by a reasonable person. Furthermore, employers who fire someone or retaliate against them for bringing a discrimination lawsuit are clearly in violation of the law.

Because it involves filing a claim with particular agencies, the procedure for pursuing employment discrimination claims can be complicated. Harrisonburg, Virginia has many lawyers available to help you in filing in a timely fashion, and they can also help you pursue any remedies that might be available to you while your case is being processed.