Are you experiencing discrimination in the workplace? You should make sure to work with a discrimination and retaliation lawyer to ensure that you get a fair settlement for what you've been through.
Ask a Discrimination and Retaliation Lawyer; 7 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I Hire a Lawyer?
If you believe you are facing discrimination or retaliation in your workplace, you might be wondering if you should hire a lawyer. Some people might be tempted to save money by representing themselves in court.
This is not a good idea. When you are filing any type of legal claim, especially one that can get complicated like a discrimination or retaliation claim, you need to have the right legal representation on your side. Make sure you find qualified discrimination and retaliation lawyers in Kansas City to work with.
2. What Is Discrimination?
Discrimination occurs when you are treated differently, unfairly, or unequally based on things like your sex, race, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. There are several other types of discrimination, as well.
People who are facing discrimination in the workplace may experience challenges like being denied fair wages, benefits, promotions, or the opportunity to be employed at a particular workplace in the first place. If you think that you are facing discrimination, talk to a lawyer to determine if you might have a legal case on your hands.
3. What Is Retaliation?
If your employer punishes you for participating in an activity that is legally protected, this counts as retaliation. This can include things like demotions, loss of wages, firing, or being assigned to a new job. While these things on their own may not necessarily count as retaliation, the context in which they occur will indicate whether they are retaliative measures or not.
Your lawyer can help you understand if you are experiencing retaliation. Essentially, if it is an adverse action that is meant to deter you from making a complaint, it counts as illegal retaliation.
4. How Do I Prove Discrimination or Retaliation?
If you are filing a claim against your employer because you have experienced retaliation or discrimination, then the burden of proof is upon you. That means that it's your responsibility to gather evidence and show the courts that you are being treated unfairly.
You do this by gathering evidence. While cases like this can be difficult to prove, with the right evidence you will have a better chance of winning a fair settlement. Gathering things like documents detailing changes in your wages or job and getting colleagues to offer witness statements can help.
5. How Long Will My Case Take?
It would be nice if there was a specific timeframe you could expect for your case to take. Unfortunately, every situation is different, which means that the legal process for each individual case is going to be different too.
It comes down to the specifics of your own case. Some situations will take just a few months to reach a fair settlement, while others can take years. Your lawyer will help you get a settlement that's fair in as reasonable a timeframe as possible. Just remember to be patient and follow all your lawyer's advice.
6. Will I Need to Go to Court?
Again, it's impossible to say right off the bat if you will need to take your case in front of a judge or not. Ideally, you'll be able to reach a fair settlement without having to go to court, meaning you'll have less stress and fewer costs.
But there are some situations where going to court is inevitable. In cases like these, having a good lawyer on your side is important. Some people choose to represent themselves to save costs, but you do not have the same training a lawyer does. Your lawyer will help you through every step of the process, and they'll ensure that your rights are respected.
7. What Should I Avoid During My Case?
There are several things that you should make sure that you do when you are filing a legal claim. This includes making sure that all your paperwork is done on time and that you choose a qualified lawyer to work with. But there are things you should make sure you avoid, as well.
This includes making any kind of public statement about your case. You will also want to avoid posting anything related to your case on social media. Your lawyer will tell you what else you should avoid doing throughout the process.
Discrimination and retaliation in the workplace are incredibly traumatic to deal with. If you believe you are being treated unfairly in the workplace, make sure you speak to a qualified lawyer. Your lawyer will know what strategies to use, and they'll make sure that you get fair compensation for what you've experienced.
