Specific characteristics are protected against discrimination under both and federal laws in Rocky Mount and other communities of Virginia. In Rocky Mount, 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. Employers may not base their evaluations of you on specific traits including religion, race, age, gender, national origin, and familial status. In order for a claim of employment discrimination to be proven, a Rocky Mount, Virginia plaintiff must show that his (or her) employer actively intended to treat him differently because of his protected status.

How can Employment Discrimination be Proven in Virginia?

This can be shown if the employer has a history of mistreating people of the same status, or if individuals testify regarding the employer's specific statements that a reasonable person would conclude are biased. Additionally, employers who fire someone or retaliate against them for bringing a discrimination lawsuit are clearly in violation of the law.

Employment discrimination claims have complicated filing procedures, because they involve pursuing the claim with specific agencies. A Rocky Mount, Virginia lawyer can help you file in a timely manner, and while your case is pending, they can assist you in pursuing any available remedies.