If you think that you’ve suffered an adverse employment decision due to workplace discrimination, then you need to know how to build your case.
After all, you’re not going to recover compensation automatically. You’re going to have to prove your case either to the other side so that you can negotiate a fair and favorable settlement, or you’re going to have to convince a judge or jury that your position is the right one.
But how do you go about proving workplace discrimination?
Key evidence in your workplace discrimination case
Each discrimination case is unique, which means that you need a customized approach to your legal claim.
That said, there are some common areas where workers can look to see if they can find evidence to support their position. Let’s look at some of them here:
- Circumstantial evidence, which is usually demonstrated by showing that you were qualified for the position you were in, that you’re a member of a protected class, and the person who replaced you was not a member of the same protected class. This typically shifts the burden back on the employer to show that the employment action was not motivated by discriminatory purposes.
- Direct evidence that comes from discriminatory statements and written communications. Make sure you’re documenting all contact that you have with your employer so that you can more easily track these correspondences.
- Patterns of discriminatory behavior, which you may be able to uncover by talking to your co-workers and others who have suffered negative employment decisions made by your employer.
Be diligent in building your case
There’s no one approach that works for every workplace discrimination lawsuit. That’s why you’ll need to be diligent as you assess the facts of your case and the best way to proceed with your claim.