How does an employee prove an employment discrimination claim?

Proving an employment discrimination claim in Maryland is a difficult process that requires extensive evidence. In order to establish a discrimination claim, an employee must be able to prove that (1) they are a member of a protected class; (2) they were qualified to perform the duties of their job; (3) they suffered an adverse employment action (such as termination or demotion, for example); and (4) another similarly situated employee, not in the protected class, was treated more favorably. It is also important to provide evidence of the employer’s discriminatory intentions. This can be accomplished by cobbling together a timeline with relevant dates and events that creates a clear picture of possible discrimination. It is also helpful to point to other employees who were treated differently than the employee filing the claim, and the employee should be prepared to provide a robust description of the discriminatory actions they claim to have experienced. Additionally, the employee should be prepared to provide references who can speak to their qualifications and job performance. This is particularly important if the employee is claiming they were improperly denied a promotion or some other job opportunity. The employee should also be prepared to provide evidence that they were, in fact, qualified for the position they were denied. Finally, the employee should be prepared to follow the proper procedures that have been established by their employer and the state of Maryland for filing a discrimination claim. The specifics of those procedures will depend on the particular circumstances, so it is important to be familiar with the relevant laws in the state.

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How does an employee prove an employment discrimination claim?

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