Discrimination in the workplace can be difficult to prove, but with the right evidence, employees can hold employers accountable. Discrimination can take many forms, including unfair treatment based on race, gender, age, disability, or other protected characteristics. Your Ellicott City, Maryland disability discrimination lawyer can help you fight back, and at Eric Siegel Law, our team is ready to get started right away. We’ve spent decades representing clients and securing compensation in discrimination and retaliation cases alike. The first step is always to get informed. Read on to learn more about how you can prove discrimination at work.
Document Unfair Treatment
Keeping a detailed record of discriminatory actions can help establish a pattern of unfair treatment. This should include dates, times, locations, and descriptions of incidents. If a supervisor repeatedly denies promotions to a qualified employee based on age or a manager makes inappropriate comments about an employee’s disability, writing down what happened as soon as possible helps preserve important details. A written timeline can provide a clear picture of ongoing discrimination.
Save Written Communication
Emails, text messages, and other written correspondence can serve as strong evidence. If a manager or coworker makes discriminatory comments in writing or if an employer’s response to a complaint shows a dismissive attitude, these records can help support a claim. If discrimination affects job assignments, promotions, or disciplinary actions, written records can help show how policies were applied unfairly. Keeping copies of these communications in a secure place outside of work can help protect this information.
Compare Treatment With Other Employees
Discrimination often becomes clear when comparing how different employees are treated. If one employee is denied a promotion while others with similar qualifications receive one, that can indicate unfair treatment. Wage disputes, disciplinary actions, and job assignments should also be reviewed. Gathering this information can help show whether an employer applies policies inconsistently based on a protected characteristic.
Gather Witness Statements
Coworkers who have seen or experienced the same unfair treatment can help strengthen a claim. Witness statements should include specific details, such as what was said, who was involved, and how the situation unfolded. If other employees have experienced similar treatment, their statements can support the claim and show that discrimination is not an isolated incident.
File A Formal Complaint
Many companies have internal procedures for reporting discrimination. Filing a complaint with human resources or a supervisor can help create a record of the issue. If an employer fails to take action, that can be evidence of a larger problem. If internal complaints do not resolve the issue, employees may need to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or a state agency. Keeping copies of all complaints and responses is important in case legal action is needed.
Contact Us Today
Workplace discrimination can have serious consequences, but employees have legal options to fight back. At Eric Siegel Law, we help employees build strong cases and take action against unfair treatment. If you believe you have been discriminated against at work, a disability discrimination lawyer from our team can review your case and discuss your legal options. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.