As an employee of any company, you have the right to work in a workplace free of discrimination. You should not be discriminated against for your age, color, heritage or other protected factors. If you are, then you may have a case against your employer.
Many people who run into trouble with discrimination find that their cases aren’t taken by attorneys or are not strong enough to win against their employer’s legal support. Why? It all comes down to documentation. To win a case, you need to have documentation that proves your claims. Without evidence, it’s your word against your employer’s word, and that isn’t likely to end in your favor.
What kinds of documentation should you have to prove discrimination took place?
There are several kinds of documentation you can keep to better your chances of winning a case. These may include:
- Reports to the Human Resources department showing that you filed complaints
- Copies of the complaints you’ve made
- Copies of emails or correspondence with discriminatory remarks
- Witness statements
- Dates and times of repeated offenses
It will serve you well to keep track of all the offenses against you in a journal with the dates and times of those offenses. Starting a complaint with the Human Resources department, if you have one, will also be a good step in the right direction. Usually, HR departments want to nip problems in the bud, but if they do not, then it is possible to take your case further.
In most cases, you will want to submit your claim to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, EEOC, to let them know what has happened. The EEOC can investigate the claim and let you know if they believe it is substantiated. The EEOC can help you resolve issues relate to discrimination, but it’s a good idea to have your attorney on board to listen to what happened and to make sure your case is handled correctly. No one should have to experience discrimination. If you have, then it’s time to look into your legal options. There are laws in place that protect you.