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. Government and private employers in Fairmont can be held liable under state and federal law depending on what kind of trait the discriminatory treatment was based upon.

How Does Employment Discrimination Occur?

Employment discrimination occurs when an employer treats you unfairly because you belong to a legally protected category. Race, gender, religion, familial status and national origin are examples of some traits that employers can not use when evaluating you. To show employment discrimination in Fairmont, West Virginia, the plaintiff needs to be able to show that the employer's intent to treat them unfairly was motivated by their protected status.

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 specific statements made by the employer that would indicate bias when heard by a reasonable person. Furthermore, an employer violates the law if they terminate a person's employment or otherwise retaliate in response to a discrimination lawsuit filed against them.

Because it involves filing a claim with specificed agencies, the procedure for pursuing employment discrimination claims can be complicated. Fairmont, West Virginia has many lawyers available to help you in filing in a timely fashion, and they can also help you pursue any remedies that might be available to you while your case is being processed.