National Origin, Race, & Religious Discrimination Attorneys Serving Chicago, Illinois and Surrounding Areas

Pushing Back Against Racial and Religious Discrimination

We Can Push Back in Naperville, Schaumburg, or Elsewhere in Northern Illinois and Surrounding Counties

Skin color. Ancestry. Country of birth. Religious and spiritual beliefs.

Although none of us is defined exclusively by these attributes and convictions, they’re often integral to our identities as people.

Race and religious discrimination attorney Michael T. Smith is eager to take on employers who have treated you unfairly based on your national origin, race, or religion. There are protections against these negative actions in place at federal and state levels.

A Good Resource-The Illinois Department Of Human Rights

The Illinois Department of Human Rights investigates charges of employment discrimination based on national origin, race, and religion that are filed against local and state government and private employers in the state. For an investigation to be launched, an employer must have at least 15 employees in the state unless:

• The charge alleges sexual harassment or retaliation or discrimination based on mental or physical disability

• The employer is part of the state government or is a public contractor

Charges against the federal government should be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity counselor at the agency where the discrimination took place. Our decades of experience and understanding of these laws can guide you through the proper channels.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 – A Sword And Shield In The Discrimination Battle

On the federal front, the government has taken significant steps to discourage
employment prejudice based on national origin, race, or religion. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits negative actions based on any of those factors in any aspect of employment including:

• Compensation, assignment, or classification of employees

• Transfer, promotion, layoff, or recall

• Hiring or firing

Under the act, discriminatory practices that are illegal include:

• Harassment

• Employment decisions based on stereotypes or assumptions about the abilities, traits, or performance of employees based on national origin, race, or religion

• Retaliation against an employee for filing a discrimination charge, participating in an investigation, or standing up to discriminatory practices

The act makes it illegal to discriminate against people at work because of birthplace, ancestry, culture, or linguistic characteristics common to specific ethnic groups. Also, employers must reasonably accommodate the religious beliefs of current or prospective employees unless doing so would cause excessive hardships.

Stand Up To Discrimination At Work In Northern Illinois And Surrounding Counties

A lawyer who has spent more than 30 years working on cases like these—and who has a passion for the work—is in the best position to take advantage of these strong state and federal protections for clients.

Call the Law Office of Michael T. Smith & Associates or contact us online today for discrimination representation in northern Illinois.