Workplace Discrimination

California law provides strong protections against workplace discrimination. If you've been treated unfairly because of who you are, we'll fight to protect your rights and dignity.

Protected Characteristics

It is illegal for employers to discriminate based on:

Personal Characteristics

  • • Race or ethnicity
  • • National origin
  • • Age (40 and over)
  • • Gender or gender identity
  • • Sexual orientation
  • • Religion or creed

Status & Conditions

  • • Pregnancy or family status
  • • Disability (physical or mental)
  • • Medical conditions
  • • Genetic information
  • • Military or veteran status
  • • Marital status

Forms of Discrimination

  • Hiring & Firing: Refusing to hire or terminating employees based on protected characteristics
  • Compensation: Paying employees differently for the same work
  • Promotions: Denying advancement opportunities
  • Harassment: Creating a hostile work environment
  • Accommodations: Failing to provide reasonable accommodations for disabilities or religious practices

Red Flags of Discrimination

  • • Comments about your age, race, or other protected characteristics
  • • Different treatment compared to similarly situated employees
  • • Sudden negative performance reviews after disclosing a protected status
  • • Being excluded from meetings or opportunities
  • • Pattern of only certain types of people being promoted

Your Legal Options

Discrimination victims may pursue:

  • • Back pay and front pay
  • • Compensatory damages for emotional distress
  • • Punitive damages
  • • Reinstatement or promotion
  • • Changes to discriminatory policies
  • • Attorney's fees and costs

Stand Up for Your Rights

Don't let discrimination go unchallenged. We'll help you fight back.

Act Quickly:

  • • DFEH/CRD: 3 years to file
  • • EEOC: 300 days to file
  • • Evidence preservation is crucial

Remember: Retaliation for reporting discrimination is also illegal.