There is no issue we get contacted about more than people who are looking to sue their employer for discrimination. There are all sorts of claims that can be made. Age, religion, gender, etc. But the number one reason people look for an Illinois discrimination lawyer is racial discrimination.
What does an Illinois racial discrimination lawyer look for?
Like I said, these are common calls. When people are treated differently they often assume it’s for racial reasons. And in many cases it is. If you and three others are the only black women nurses at a hospital and are given the worst shifts and the most dangerous patients. that might be because of your race.
What lawyers are looking for is actual evidence of discrimination. It’s one thing to know in your heart that someone is treating you in a racist way, it’s another thing to have proof.
How do you get proof of racial discrimination?
The reality is that most racism is not done out loud or directly. We have represented people who have been called the N word, had bananas put on their desks, had a noose put in their locker, had people dress up in a way that mocked Mexicans and other cases. It’s rare that an employer could be that dumb, but it happens.
Other times things are said in private, but overheard or put in an email or text that you get a hold of. Without that, your case is circumstantial and much harder to prove. In other words, you could be right, but ultimately not have a case because you can’t prove it enough.
How do these cases work?
When you think you are a victim of discrimination, the law usually requires you to report the bad behavior and give the company a chance to correct it. If it’s not corrected and problems continue, that is when you may have a case.
Even when you appear to have good evidence, no case is a slam dunk. If you were treated in what appears to be a discriminatory way, but fired for showing up drunk to work or for legitimate bad work performance, they might get away with it.
For some people the first step is to go to the EEOC or the Illinois Department of Human Rights. For others it makes sense to sue right away. What is best for you really depends on how strong your facts are. The better the evidence the more likely that suing is what you should do.
Finding the best Illinois employment lawyer
If you would like our help in determining if you have a case and if so which law firm we think is best for you, please contact us any time at 312-346-5320. We are selective about which cases we get involved with, but will talk to anyone for free and give an honest analysis.
