Discrimination in the workplace is a serious issue that can have a significant impact on your career and overall well-being. Fortunately, if you believe you have been a victim of discrimination in the Los Angeles area, there are experienced labor lawyers who can help you fight for your rights.
Discriminatory behavior on the job violates the fundamental rights that American workers have to equal and fair treatment, along with reasonable accommodations for disabilities and health conditions. You have legal options if you have been discriminated against because of age, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, race, religion, or any one of the seventeen protected classes.
If you’ve faced workplace discrimination and need to take legal action, immediately contact a top Los Angeles discrimination attorney who will stand by your side through this complex legal fight.
You should contact a victim’s rights lawyer for a Free Consultation Today: (213) 618-3655
Understanding Discrimination Laws in California
Under California law, it is unlawful for employers to discriminate against workers or contractors based on their legally recognized protected classifications. These protected classifications ensure that all workers are treated fairly and have equal employment opportunities. Discrimination can take various forms, including harassment, unequal treatment in hiring and promotions, unfair disciplinary actions, and wrongful termination.
Common Types of Workplace Discrimination
Race Discrimination
Race discrimination occurs when an employee is treated differently because of their race or ethnicity. This can involve racial slurs, offensive comments, biased hiring practices, and other discriminatory acts.
Gender Discrimination
Gender discrimination involves treating an employee unfairly based on their gender. This can include pay disparities, denial of promotions, sexual harassment, and other forms of gender-based mistreatment.
Disability Discrimination
Disability discrimination refers to treating an employee unfairly due to their physical or mental impairment. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities, and failure to do so can constitute discrimination.
Age Discrimination
Age discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee less favorably because of their age, typically targeting older workers. Discrimination based on age can manifest in various ways, such as unfair hiring practices, denial of promotions, or creating a hostile work environment.
National Origin Discrimination
National origin discrimination occurs when an employer discriminates against an employee based on their country of origin or ancestry. This can include unfair treatment, derogatory comments, or bias in hiring decisions.
Sexual Orientation Discrimination
Sexual orientation discrimination targets individuals based on their sexual orientation. It can involve harassment, unequal treatment, or denial of employment opportunities because of a person's sexual orientation.
Pregnancy Discrimination
Pregnancy discrimination involves treating an employee unfavorably because of their pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Discrimination based on pregnancy can include denial of employment opportunities, unfair treatment, or refusal to provide reasonable accommodations.
Click on the following links to learn more about each specific type of discrimination in the workplace:
Workplace Discrimination Laws
Employees are protected against discrimination by several federal and state laws. The most well known of those is the federal Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law prohibits workplace decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. Also, if an employee makes a claim about prejudice in the workplace, then an employer may not retaliate against them.California expanded federal laws with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). This law added protections for classes including ancestry, medical conditions, genetic information, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and military and veteran status.Other laws that protect against discrimination in the workplace include: 
- The Pregnancy Discrimination Act – This expands Title VII to include a prohibition of discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth.
- The Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA) – This prohibits wage decisions amounting to gender bias between men and women who perform equal work in the same workplace.
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) – This protects people who are 40 and older from discrimination in the workplace.
- Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) – This makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate against a person with a disability.
Harassment is also prohibited in the workplace under state and federal laws. When harassment creates a hostile work environment, employers can be held accountable.
Related Article
When Does Discrimination On the Job Typically Happen?
Under California law and federal law, employers are prohibited from using a protected class to make decisions, or behave unfairly towards others in the workplace. These dicriminatory acts can materialize at any point during normal business operations. For instance, during:
- On Job Posts and Ads
- Screening and interviewing candidates
- Hiring, promoting, transferring, and firing employees
- Paying wages and benefits
- Working conditions
- Participating in training and apprenticeship programs
- Employee organizing and unions
Signs of Workplace Discrimination
Identifying signs of workplace discrimination is crucial for protecting your rights. Look out for these common indicators and keep records of it:
- Performance and Work Conditions:
- Differential performance standards.
- Expectation to work longer hours than peers.
- Being asked to arrive earlier than coworkers without valid reason.
- Treatment and Opportunities:
- Offensive comments about race, religion, sex, age, or other protected characteristics.
- Consistent exclusion from meetings and social business events.
- Pay disparities between employees in the same role with similar experience.
- Denial of promotions, training opportunities, and benefits.
- Unfair preference of certain employees over others based on personal characteristics.
- Changes in Job Role:
- Reduction or drastic change in responsibilities without a valid reason.
- Assignment to less favorable shifts or locations.
- Removal or limitation of job responsibilities.
If you’ve experienced any of these signs, it’s imperative to contact a victim’s rights lawyer for a Free Case Evaluation Today: (213) 618-3655.
Steps to Take if You Face Discrimination
When facing workplace discrimination, taking immediate and appropriate steps is crucial for safeguarding your rights and pursuing justice. Below is a structured approach to navigating through such challenging times:
- Documentation:
- Keep a detailed record of all incidents, noting dates, times, involved parties and witnesses.
- Review and understand your company’s anti-discrimination policy.
- Internal Reporting:
- Formally report discrimination to your employer or HR department, adhering to existing protocols.
- Engage in discussions with trusted colleagues for support and corroboration.
- Legal Consultation:
- Consult with an experienced employment discrimination attorney to understand your legal options.
- Consider the required legal actions such as filing a complaint with the EEOC, OFCCP and the proper state agencies within the stipulated time frames for your particular class of discrimination claim.
If you’ve experienced any of these signs, it’s imperative to contact a victim’s rights lawyer for a Free Case Evaluation today to receive the maximum amount of justice you’re entitled to: (213) 618-3655.
What Is the U.S. EEOC?
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency that investigates complaints of workplace harassment and prejudice. In some cases, you may be required to file a complaint with the EEOC prior to filing a discrimination lawsuit against your employer.
DOWNLOAD EEOC PDF: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
What Is the California DFEH?
The Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) is a state agency that investigates complaints of harassment and discrimination that occur in California. Before you file a workplace discrimination lawsuit in a California state court, you must obtain a right-to-sue notice from the DFEH.
Hiring a Los Angeles Discrimination Lawyer
Do I Need a Discrimination Lawyer in Los Angeles?
Although you are not required to hire an employment lawyer in a workplace discrimination case, you will greatly benefit by having an employment law professional handling your case. It is advised to consult with an experienced attorney that specializes in employment discrimination laws and has the resources to protect your rights. There will be many steps with many pitfalls, and it can take well over a year to years to settle, with the possibility of going to trial. You will be rewarded for your due diligence.
Experienced in Federal and California Discrimination Laws
In addition to federal anti-discrimination laws, Setyan Law is intimately familiar with all the California statutes. California offers a broader range of protections against discrimination in the workplace than many states. It’s important that you hire discrimination lawyers in Los Angeles who understand how to use the law to support your discrimination claim.
Setyan Law
Whether you have faced discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, or other illegal actions against you by an employer, our Los Angeles employment lawyer Sam Setyan and his legal team of experts will provide you the quality legal services required to win your case, and bring you justice. Sam Setyan will review your grievance, tell you your options, and guide you to the most favorable outcome possible. It's your call.
Call 213-618-3655 for a free consultation.
Every Case Is Unique
Some attorneys have a templated practice and handle thousands of cases at a time. Setyan Law will listen to your unique situation and develop a personal strategy to handle your claim. Armed with this strategy, you will have the greatest chances of success and get the maximum compensation.
We Conduct a Thorough Investigation
Employment law discrimination cases require solid evidence of the wrongful actions of the other parties. Our investigation team will actively discover information to prove that you were discriminated against on the job, and organize your evidence for the courts.
We Will Use Our Resources Effectively
Employers often have deep pockets and teams of lawyers on their side. You deserve the same opportunities to present expensive experts, in-depth research, and effective strategies. Setyan Law has the resources that will provide you with those options.
Remedies in Employment Discrimination Cases
Victims of discrimination in the workplace may be able to get remedies including:
- Past and future lost earnings
- Rehire or reinstatement of your job
- Appropriate promotion and training
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Changes in discriminatory policies
- Reasonable accommodations
- Damages for mental anguish and emotional distress
- Punitive damages
- Attorney fees and legal costs
For more information, see our article on recouping damages in your workplace discrimination lawsuit.
Los Angeles Employment Discrimination Lawyer – FAQs
The cost of hiring an employment lawyer can vary depending on various factors, such as the complexity of your case, the lawyer’s experience, and the region where you reside. Some employment lawyers charge an hourly rate, while others may work on a contingency fee basis or offer flat fees for specific services. It’s important to discuss fees and payment arrangements with your lawyer during the initial consultation. Most will employ a “No win, no fee” policy.
To succeed in a discrimination case, an employee must show that they were treated unfairly due to a protected characteristic, such as race, gender, or religion. They also need to prove that they were qualified and performed their job satisfactorily, but discrimination negatively impacted their employment. Additionally, it must be shown that job-related decisions were made subjectively, not based on objective criteria.
When seeking a discrimination settlement, it’s important to ask for economic damages. These damages are meant to compensate for direct financial losses, including lost wages, benefits, promotions, and any out-of-pocket expenses. The settlement should account for back pay from when the discrimination started and front pay for the future income and benefits lost due to the discrimination’s impact on your career path.
Employers can best defend against discrimination lawsuits by being proactive. This includes creating detailed policies against workplace discrimination, providing thorough training on these policies, consistently following the established rules, documenting all relevant incidents and decisions, proving there was a valid business reason for the disputed decision, showing the decision was made for non-discriminatory reasons, or demonstrating that the employer was unaware of the discriminatory conduct.
Determining the exact value of a discrimination case is difficult since many are settled outside of court, and others go to trial. However, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) reports that the average settlement for employment discrimination claims is around $40,000. When you call Setyan Law, we will explain the value of your case and help you understand how much it may be worth.
Contact a Discrimination Lawyer in Los Angeles – Get a Free Consultation
If you have experienced prejudiced or biased behavior at work, you have rights. A Los Angeles discrimination attorney at Setyan Law will provide top legal assistance and help you file a complaint against your employer. We will also go to trial, if necessary. Call today (213) 618-3655.
How an Employment Attorney in Los Angeles Can Help You
Employment disputes are about more than winning. They often involve your livelihood and can impact your entire life. Setyan Law has a team of legal professionals and discrimination lawyers in Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Glendale.
We will review your case, gather evidence to support your claims, and fight for you to get the justice you deserve.
Please feel free to call us for a free consultation about your rights.