Keeping an Eye Out for Employment Discrimination in Illinois

 Posted on October 26, 2013 in Employment Discrimination

No matter the size of your business, you should watch for potentially damaging situations that can stem from claims of workplace discrimination. In fiscal year 2012, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reported that there were 99,412 discrimination charges nationwide. The report indicated that 5.5 percent of those total charges originated from Illinois. Illinois exceeded the national average for charges in several areas such as sexual, age and disability discrimination. Conversely, in areas such as race, religion and equal pay, Illinois percentages were beneath the national average.

Discrimination Type	Nationwide	Illinois
Sexual	4.8%	26.24%
Age	7.3%	27.5%
Disability	5.3%	25.3%
Race	5.1%	2.5%
Religion	4.3%	3%
Equal Pay Act	6.6%	1.3%

                 Source: www.eeoc.gov

Three Tips for Employers to Avoid Discrimination Charges The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) governs workplace matters. In workplace discrimination cases, employers have the burden to prove that they are not violating the FLSA. An experienced employment attorney can help employers defend against such claims. Here are three tips to help you spot or avoid a potential problem:

1. Listen – If any employee brings up or you hear about incidents or concerns regarding discrimination in your business, pay attention. Do not take any claim lightly.
2. Communicate – Be sure to communicate to your organization that acts of discrimination will not be tolerated. Be sure to follow up on any conversations and concerns addressed by an employee and seek an equitable resolution.
3. Be Proactive – Examine your business structure. Connect with a reputable Illinois employment lawyer to ensure your business is in compliance with employment laws and seek legal advice about potential issues.

If you are an employer and need legal assistance in dealing with discrimination claims, or have concerns about workplace compliance with Illinois and federal employment laws, contact an aggressive, experienced Schaumburg employment defense attorney today.