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 deciding 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 issue to court. Racial discrimination claims involve situations where an employers treat employees differently than other employees who are of a different race.

The Oconomowoc plaintiff must further be able to show that the employer acted with intent to discriminate based on race in order to succeed in a racial discrimination claim. The employer's intent can often be shown by showing that other people of different races were treated preferentially.

How Can an Oconomowoc Lawyer Help with My Claim?

In some cases also, recorded statements made by the employer about racial issues can be used to prove intent. In this area of litigation, procedural laws will vary considerably depending on where the claim is filed, and an Oconomowoc 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 forms of remedies available to you while your claim is pending.