How can a discrimination claim be filed in Indiana?

On Behalf of | Nov 12, 2014 | Workplace Discrimination |

Federal and state discrimination laws make it an illegal act for any employer to engage in discrimination against anyone based upon ancestry, national origin, disabilities, color, sex, religion, or race. Disabled employees in Indiana are further protected on a broader basis than what federal statutes provide for them. Age discrimination in the state is also illegal; however, court action as a remedy for age discrimination is not permitted under state law.

Anyone who feels that he or she has been a victim of discrimination could file a discrimination claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Indiana Civil Rights Commission. A work-sharing agreement between those two agencies means that they share all information and therefore it is not necessary to file separate claims with each one. ICRC claims must be made within 180 days of the alleged discrimination date and EEOC claims must be made within 300 days.

Some counties or cities have their own anti-discrimination ordinances and therefore also have their own agencies in charge of processing those claims. Where they do exist, they can usually be found on city or county government websites.

When anyone who has suffered any kind of illegal discrimination finds that their claim could not be resolved by a state or federal agency, they could find it necessary to turn to retaining an attorney to pursue a discrimination lawsuit. An attorney could consult with the victim about his or her legal options and how to proceed with a court case based upon employer discrimination. Under the exhaustion of remedies requirement, victims must first take all steps prescribed by the applicable agency before bringing a private action.

Source: Workplace Fairness, “Filing a Discrimination Claim – Indiana“, November 11, 2014

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