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. Racial discrimination claims involve situations where an employers treat employees differently than other employees who are of a different race.
To be able to prove a claim of racial discrimination, the Newport News 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 Newport News Lawyer Help with My Claim?
In some cases also, recorded statements made by the employer about racial issues can be used to prove intent. Laws governing the procedures in discrimination will vary greatly depending on where the claim is filed, and Newport News attorneys will be able to help you with the requirements for your particular region. Furthermore, a Virginia attorney can assist you when you file your claim with the EEOC, and they may be able to help you obtain other kinds of relief during the time period when your case is pending.