Missouri takes workplace discrimination seriously, and has several laws to protect workers. Understanding what constitutes unfair treatment will help you protect yourself. Here’s all you need to know to pursue a complaint.

What Is Considered Workplace Discrimination in MO?

The Missouri Human Rights Act protects people in minority groups. The law prohibits discrimination based on race or skin color, gender, religion, nationality or ancestry, and disability status. It also protects against age discrimination that targets workers between the ages of 40 and 70.

Acts involving discriminatory practices can occur during the hiring, promoting, and firing processes. The employee’s rate of pay, job transfer, or layoff may also be the result of discrimination. Other unlawful practices include wording job advertisements to exclude certain groups, refusing to hire based on a protected status, or denying benefits to an eligible employee. For example, denying a full-time pregnant employee the same health care benefits as other full-time staff.

How & When Can You File a Complaint? 

You may want to hire a lawyer to help you file a discrimination claim. Together, you can collect evidence of the violation, including copies of your employment record, employee handbook, and pay stubs. You should begin the process as early as possible, as Missouri gives you 180 days from the date the incident took place to file. Alternatively, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) provides a 300-day window for those filing federal claims.

Keep in mind that you can file with either organization first, then forward the claim to the other. However, the EEOC doesn’t handle complaints against companies that have fewer than 15 employees. You can learn more about the complaint process on the MCHR website.

What Happens After You File the Complaint?

Upon filing, you receive a complaint number, which appears on the copy of the document. The file is forwarded to your employer within 10 business days. The EEOC contacts your employer for a response and offers them the chance to join you in mediation to settle the dispute. If your employer declines, or mediation fails, the EEOC launches an investigation.

Pursuing a workplace discrimination complaint is a complex process that involves thorough knowledge of state and federal discrimination laws. Located in West Plains, MO, Henry & Williams P.C. has more than 60 years of experience handling workplace discrimination cases. They will help you navigate the filing process and, if necessary, stand by you during mediation. View information about case results on their website, or call (417) 256-8133 to discuss your situation.