The U.S. Constitution and Title VII of the U.S. Code both make racial discrimination illegal in the state of Wisconsin. Employers may not take race into account according to these laws when hiring or recruiting workers, or when determining wages and promotion offers.

What Must Be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the federal agency in charge of investigating workplace discrimination, and employees discriminated against must file a claim with the EEOC before taking the matter to court. Race discrimination includes situations where an employer treats their worker differently from other workers who are of a different race or nationality.

The Caledonia plaintiff must additionally be able to prove that the employer acted with intent to discriminate based on race in order to succeed in a racial discrimination claim. Proof of an employer's intent to discriminate can be shown if they have preferentially treated workers of different races than the plaintiff.

How Can a Caledonia Lawyer Help with My Claim?

In some cases also, recorded statements made by the employer about racial issues can be used to show intent. In this area of litigation, procedural laws will vary greatly depending on where the claim is filed, and a Caledonia attorney will be knowledgeable of the requirements for your particular location. Should you decide to file your claim at the EEOC, a Wisconsin lawyer will be able to help you out, and they can also point you towards other types of remedies available to you while your claim is pending.