The U.S. Constitution and Title VII of the U.S. Code both make racial discrimination illegal in the state of Washington. 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?

Before taking their discrimination claim to court, an employee must file their claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC is the federal agency that has authority to investigate any claims of discrimination in the workplace. 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 Battle Ground plaintiff additionally 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 Battle Ground Lawyer Help with My Claim?

Furthermore, in some circumstances, recorded employer statements regarding racial issues can be used to establish their intent to discriminate. In this area of litigation, procedural laws will vary considerably depending on where the claim is filed, and a Battle Ground attorney will be knowledgeable of the requirements for your particular location. An experienced Washington lawyer will also help you in filing your claim with the EEOC, as well as helping you obtain other forms of relief while your claim is being processed.