What is employment discrimination? This term refers to a practice in which an employee is treated differently—is discriminated against—because of his or her association with a protected class. There are many different protected classes, such as race, religion, age, and sex. In Park Ridge, Illinois, employees have protections against employment discrimination that might occur at various stages: from the hiring process, to promotions, to termination. Indeed, many wrongful termination claims concern allegations of discrimination. Employment discrimination is prohibited under both state and federal law, and Illinois state law actually provides additional protections in comparison with federal statutes.
At the Law Office of Mitchell A. Kline, we regularly assist employees who have been victims of discrimination at work, as well as employers who are facing allegations of workplace discrimination. If you have questions or concerns, we can speak with you today.
As we mentioned above, employment discrimination claims can arise at various stages of employment in Park Ridge and can involve:
Under the Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5), employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees based on any of the following:
Many of these protections also are available under federal laws. However, prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation is specific to Illinois statutory law (as well as other state statutes). In other words, sexual orientation discrimination is not yet prohibited under federal law. What federal laws protect employees? The following are examples of federal laws aimed at protecting employees against discrimination:
Depending upon the specific type of employment discrimination and the type of employer, you may be able to file either a state or a federal claim. In some situations, you may be able to cross-file your claim. It is extremely important to discuss your case with a Park Ridge employment discrimination lawyer to ensure that you file your claim in a proper and timely manner.
For an employment discrimination claim based on state law, you will need to file your claim with the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) within 180 days. For an employment discrimination claim based on federal law, you will need to file your claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 300 days. If you plan to cross-file your claim, you will need to file within the shorter timeline in order to remain eligible.
It is extremely important to have an experienced employment discrimination lawyer in Park Ridge on your side. An advocate at our firm can speak with you today about your case. Contact the Law Office of Mitchell A. Kline to learn more about our services.
