Standing Up For Victims Of Workplace Discrimination In West Virginia
When an employer offers you a job or a promotion — or decides to not offer you a job or promotion — the decision should be based on your qualifications, not on arbitrary personal characteristics that you have little to no control over.
Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employers are prohibited from discriminatory practices regarding hiring, promotion, termination, types of assignments and pay. They cannot legally consider any of the following about you when making an employment-related decision:
- Race
- Gender
- Pregnancy
- Age
- Religion
- Nationality
- Disability
By applying extensive knowledge of state and federal labor and employment laws, Bouchillon Crossan & Colburn redresses the discrimination and levels the employment playing field.
Our Huntington employment law attorneys provide experienced guidance and strong advocacy to clients facing discrimination and other unlawful employment practices in Huntington and throughout West Virginia.
If you have been passed over for employment, promotion or other favorable treatment due to a protected characteristic, we can help. If you have been demoted, disciplined, harassed or otherwise mistreated because of who you are, not what you do, we are here to stand up for your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workplace Discrimination
Here are some of the questions our attorneys hear the most:
What constitutes employment discrimination in West Virginia?
Workplace discrimination is when workers are treated unfairly or unequally due to their inclusion in a protected class. These protected classes include things like disability, age, sex, color, religion, race, pregnancy, national origin and ancestry. Workers could be discriminated against if they are treated differently, paid less, denied promotions, fired from a position and much more. Any negative action taken because of inclusion in a protected class could be discriminatory.
On what basis can I file a discrimination lawsuit against my West Virginia employer?
You can file a discrimination lawsuit if you believe you are being treated differently than your fellow employees because you are in one of these protected classes. This can get complex, which is why it is important to have an experienced legal team on your side. You need to know what rights you have, how they have been violated and what legal steps to take moving forward.
What are some examples of workplace discrimination?
Discrimination may start in hiring, such as when workers in a certain class are denied employment as a result. Differences in pay or hours worked can also be discrimination. It may be discriminatory if an employee is denied a promotion or a raise that they would have otherwise received. There are countless specific examples, and the key is to look for situations in which workers aren’t being treated fairly or equally – such as failing to hire a pregnant woman because she is pregnant or making jokes or inappropriate comments about employees of a certain race or national origin.
What type of evidence do I need to prove my employment discrimination claim?
It depends on the case, but an experienced lawyer can help you gather the evidence you will need. This could include video evidence, statements from witnesses, email messages, text messages, audio recordings of conversations and much more. Any documentation can help your case, and our team can help you ensure you have everything you need.
Talk To A Lawyer About Your Discrimination Claim
Our law firm stands up for the rights of employees who have faced discrimination and other mistreatment at work. To learn how we can help you, contact us online or by telephone at 304-521-4636.