EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION DEMAND LETTER
Virginia Law
Virginia Human Rights Act, Va. Code Section 2.2-3900 et seq.
[ATTORNEY/FIRM LETTERHEAD]
[Firm Name]
[Address Line 1]
[City, Virginia ZIP]
Tel: [Phone Number]
Fax: [Fax Number]
[Attorney Email]
[Virginia State Bar No.]
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
AND VIA EMAIL TO: [recipient_email]
[Date]
[Employer Contact Name]
[Title]
[Company Legal Name]
[Company Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Re: Employment Discrimination Claim of [Client Full Name]
EEOC Charge No.: [If filed]
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT COMMUNICATION - VA. R. EVID. 2:408
Dear [Mr./Ms./Mx. Last Name]:
This firm represents [Client Full Name] ("our client") regarding [his/her/their] claims of unlawful employment discrimination against [Company Legal Name] ("[Company Short Name]" or "the Company").
I. LEGAL FRAMEWORK
A. Virginia Human Rights Act (VHRA)
Virginia prohibits employment discrimination under Va. Code Section 2.2-3900 et seq., significantly expanded by the Virginia Values Act of 2020.
Protected Classes Under VHRA (as amended):
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- National origin
- Sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, related conditions)
- Age (40+)
- Marital status
- Sexual orientation (added 2020)
- Gender identity (added 2020)
- Disability
- Military status
- Veteran status
B. Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws
| Statute | Protected Class | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Title VII | Race, color, religion, sex, national origin | 42 U.S.C. Section 2000e et seq. |
| ADEA | Age (40+) | 29 U.S.C. Section 621 et seq. |
| ADA | Disability | 42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq. |
C. Administrative Enforcement
Important: The Virginia Values Act of 2020 created a private right of action. Administrative exhaustion is NOT required for VHRA claims.
II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
[Client Full Name] was employed by [Company Short Name] from [Start Date] through [End Date / Present] as a [Job Title] in [City], Virginia.
III. LEGAL CLAIMS
A. Violation of Virginia Human Rights Act
[Company Short Name] violated the VHRA by discriminating against our client based on [protected class].
Key Provisions (Post-Virginia Values Act):
- Applies to employers with 5+ employees (previously 15+)
- Private right of action created in 2020
- No administrative exhaustion required
- Sexual orientation and gender identity protected
IV. DAMAGES
A. Damage Caps (Va. Code Section 2.2-3908)
| Employer Size | Combined Cap |
|---|---|
| 5-100 employees | $50,000 |
| 101-200 employees | $100,000 |
| 201-500 employees | $200,000 |
| 500+ employees | $300,000 |
B. Summary of Damages
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Back Pay | $[Amount] |
| Compensatory Damages | $[Amount] |
| Punitive Damages | $[Amount] |
| Attorney's Fees | $[Amount] |
| TOTAL | $[Amount] |
V. SETTLEMENT DEMAND
We demand that [Company Short Name] pay $[Settlement Demand Amount] to resolve all claims.
VI. RESPONSE DEADLINE
Please respond within twenty-one (21) calendar days, no later than [Response Deadline Date].
Sincerely,
[Attorney Name]
[Title]
[Firm Name]
[Virginia State Bar No.]
VIRGINIA-SPECIFIC PRACTICE NOTES (Do Not Include in Final Letter)
Key Virginia Considerations
[ ] Virginia Values Act (2020): Major expansion - created private right of action, added SOGI protections
[ ] No Administrative Exhaustion: Can file directly in court under VHRA
[ ] Lower Employee Threshold: Now 5+ employees (reduced from 15)
[ ] SOGI Protected: Sexual orientation and gender identity protected since 2020
[ ] Federal Damage Caps: Virginia follows Title VII cap structure
Statute of Limitations Reference
| Claim | Deadline | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| VHRA Civil Action | 2 years | Va. Code Section 2.2-3908 |
| Admin Complaint | 180 days | Va. Code Section 2.2-3908 |
| EEOC (deferral state) | 300 days | 42 U.S.C. Section 2000e-5(e) |