Are you facing discrimination at your workplace? Maybe you were excluded or passed over for a promotion or unfairly treated because of your race, gender, age, disability or religion. If so, you may have a valid discrimination claim against your employer, but it helps to build a solid case before taking legal action.
Workplace discrimination cases aren’t built on emotions; they’re built on evidence and strategy. Here’s how to keep your case moving in the right direction.
Document everything
Keep a detailed record of the discriminatory incidents. Note the date, time, location, witnesses, people involved and how the matter was dealt with. Save emails, performance reviews, texts or memos that support your claim – the more thorough your documentation, the stronger your position.
Follow internal complaint procedures
If your company has a formal process for reporting discrimination, file a complaint through the designated channels before taking the matter to court. Doing this shows you tried to resolve the issue internally and creates a paper trail that may be critical if the situation escalates.
Don’t ignore deadlines
Discrimination claims have strict deadlines. For instance, you have 180 days to file a discrimination claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). It is a required step for most types of workplace discrimination claims. The EEOC will review your complaint, investigate it and attempt to resolve the issue before giving you the green light to proceed to court.
It also helps to learn more about the damages you may recover with a workplace discrimination claim, such as lost wages, emotional distress and punitive damages (if your case is severe enough). Understanding what’s at stake and seeking qualified assistance through the legal process can help you take informed action as you stand up for your rights.