The Federal government as well as the state of West Virginia have enacted laws which make it illegal to discriminate based on defined protected characteristics. Depending on what type of trait prompted the discriminatory treatment, government employers and even private organizations in Bridgeport may be held liable under various state and federal laws.

How Does Employment Discrimination Occur?

If an employee is a member of a legally protected class and their employer treats them unfairly because of that, the employer will be held liable for employment discrimination. Employers are prohibited from using specific traits to evaluate you such as national origin, religion, race, age, familial status, or gender. The plaintiff must prove that their employer intended to treat them unfairly because of their protected status in order to succeed on a discrimination claim in Bridgeport, West Virginia.

How can Employment Discrimination be Proven in West Virginia?

This may be shown if the employer has treated others of the same status similarly, or when people testify to particular statements made by the employer that would indicate bias when heard by a reasonable person. Moreover, employers may be held liable for firing someone or retaliating against them because they brought a discrimination lawsuit.

Because it involves filing a claim with particular agencies, the procedure for pursuing employment discrimination claims can be complicated. An attorney in Bridgeport, West Virginia can help you in filing on time, as well as pursuing other remedies that are available to you while your claim is pending.