Marina del Rey Employment Discrimination Lawyer

Marina del Rey Employment Discrimination Attorney

In California, discrimination in the workplace is taken very seriously. It is illegal to discriminate against an individual based on any protected characteristic, such as race, religion, national origin, age, sex, or disability. If you are an employee in Marina del Rey and have experienced discrimination at work, you have the right to pursue legal action.

The Law Offices of Miguel S. Ramirez offer legal assistance to those who have been discriminated against by their employer due to a protected characteristic. If you need help fighting against discrimination, do not hesitate to contact a Marina del Rey employment lawyer for support.

What Is Workplace Discrimination?

Workplace discrimination refers to the unfair treatment of an employee or job applicant on the basis of a protected characteristic, such as race, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Discrimination happens in different manners, including:

• Refusing to hire or promote an employee because of their protected characteristic
• Paying an employee less because of their protected characteristic
• Terminating an employee because of their protected characteristic
• Harassing an employee because of their protected characteristic
• Segregating or isolating an employee because of their protected characteristic

Discrimination is prohibited by state and federal laws, which provide legal remedies for individuals who have experienced discrimination in the workplace. If you believe you have been the victim of workplace discrimination, you may be able to seek legal remedies through the state or federal court system or through administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH).

Laws Protecting Employees from Discrimination in California

In California, employees are protected from sexual harassment or sexual assault and discrimination on the basis of certain characteristics by federal and state laws. These characteristics include religion, race, national origin, color, ancestry, disability, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, and military or veteran status. The main laws that provide this protection are the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.

Under these laws, it is not legal for an employer to discriminate against an employee on the basis of any of these characteristics. This means that an employer cannot make decisions about hiring, firing, promotions, pay, or any other employment matters based on an employee’s religion, race, national origin, color, ancestry, disability, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, military, or veteran status.

In addition, California law prohibits discrimination against individuals with genetic predispositions to disease, and it is illegal for employers to test employees for genetic markers. California laws also provide broader protection against sexual harassment and discrimination against people with disabilities than federal laws do. For example, under California law, a sexual harassment victim presses charges against a co-worker for workplace harassment, which is not allowed under federal law.

Understanding What Constitutes Workplace Discrimination

Recognizing workplace discrimination is the starting point to tackling the process of going against it. There are certain behaviors, conduct, and actions that should be considered key indicators of discrimination. It is important for employees to know how to identify discrimination and take swift action. By definition, discrimination is any form of different treatment of someone compared with their peers due to a protected characteristic. Some examples of workplace discrimination are:

• Hiring discrimination: An employer may refuse to hire an individual or may not consider them for a promotion because of their race, religion, national origin, or other protected characteristic.
• Pay discrimination: An employer may pay an employee less than a colleague for the same work because of their race, sex, or other protected characteristic.
• Harassment: An employer or co-worker may subject an employee to unwanted comments, jokes, or physical contact because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristic.
• Promotions: An employer may not consider an employee for a promotion or may bypass them for a promotion because of their race, sex, or other protected characteristic.
• Termination: An employer may fire an employee because of their race, religion, national origin, or other protected characteristic.
• Retaliation: An employer may take adverse action against an employee for complaining about discrimination or participating in an investigation of discrimination.

Filing a Workplace Discrimination Complaint in California

If you believe that you have been the victim of workplace discrimination in California, you have the right to file a complaint with the appropriate state or federal agency. The process for filing a complaint will depend on the type of discrimination you have experienced and the agency that has jurisdiction over your case.

Here are the steps you can take to file a workplace discrimination complaint in California:

Determine which agency has jurisdiction over your case. If you have been discriminated against on the basis of a characteristic that is protected under federal law, such as race, religion, national origin, sex, or disability, you may file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). If you have been discriminated against on the basis of a characteristic that is protected under state law, such as sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information, you may file a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH).

1. Contact the appropriate agency to begin the complaint process. You can contact the EEOC or DFEH by phone or through their websites to request a complaint form or to learn more about the process for filing a complaint.
2. Complete the complaint form and submit it to the appropriate agency. Be sure to include as much information as possible about the discrimination you experienced, including the date it occurred, the names of the individuals involved, and any evidence you have.
3. Wait for the agency to review your complaint. After you submit your complaint, the agency will review it to determine if it has jurisdiction and if it will investigate further.
4. Participate in the investigation process. If the agency decides to investigate your complaint, they may ask you to provide additional information or participate in an interview. Be sure to cooperate with the investigation process to the best of your ability.
5. Wait for the outcome of the investigation. The agency will review the evidence and make a determination about whether discrimination occurred. If they find that discrimination did occur, they will work with you and the employer to try to resolve the matter. If the matter cannot be resolved, you may want to hire an attorney and file a lawsuit.

A local Marina del Rey workplace discrimination lawyer can help you understand your rights and options for going forward while guiding you through filing a complaint or lawsuit.

Is it Necessary to Hire a Discrimination Lawyer in Marina del Rey, CA?

Attempting to handle a workplace discrimination claim on your own can make you vulnerable to further infringements on your rights as an employee. An employer could try to trick workers into thinking there are no grounds for a claim or say that they won’t fix the issue. Hiring a Marina del Rey discrimination lawyer can protect you from these types of tactics during the claims process. Your attorney will help you with all parts of the process, prioritizing you and your needs. Your legal aid can help negotiate a settlement for you as well.

If your employer’s unlawful conduct resulted in being fired, demoted, damage to your reputation, or any other life-damaging negative outcome, a lawyer might be able to help you recover and move forward. A lawyer can make for discrimination and fight for a favorable resolution while you direct your energy toward getting back on track.

FAQs About Marina del Rey, CA Employment Discrimination Law

How Much Does an Employment Lawyer Cost in California?

The cost of hiring an employment attorney in California can vary significantly depending on the specific circumstances of your case and the lawyer’s experience and reputation. Some employment lawyers may charge an hourly rate, while others may charge a flat fee or contingency fee (a percentage of the damages recovered in the case). Hourly rates for employment lawyers in California can range from $100 to $700 or more per hour, depending on the lawyer’s level of experience and the complexity of the case. Flat fees and contingency fees can also vary widely, depending on the specifics of the case. In general, it is a good idea to ask about the lawyer’s billing practices and fees upfront to avoid any surprises down the road.

How Do Employee Rights Lawyers Work?

Employee rights lawyers are attorneys who specialize in representing workers in cases related to employment law. They may conduct research, gather evidence, and review relevant documents to build a strong legal argument on behalf of their clients. In some cases, they may negotiate with an employer or other party to try to reach a settlement or resolution outside of court. If a case does go to trial, employee rights lawyers may represent their clients in court and advocate for their rights before a judge or jury.

What Do Employment Lawyers Cover?

Employment lawyers cover a wide range of issues related to employment law, including:

• Discrimination
• Harassment
• Wage and hour violations
• Wrongful termination
• Non-compete agreements
• Severance agreements
• Whistleblower protections
• Employment contracts
• Labor Relations

Who Is Protected by Anti-Discrimination Laws in California?

In California, anti-discrimination laws protect employees, job applicants, temporary employees, and unpaid interns from discrimination on the basis of certain characteristics, such as race, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. These protections apply to a wide range of employment-related actions, including hiring, promotion, wages, and working conditions.

Reach Out to a Marina del Rey Discrimination Lawyer Now

Anti-discrimination laws ensure that employers treat their workers equally. If you have experienced discrimination by a company or business in Marina del Rey, it’s important to remember that there are time limits for pursuing legal claims. Contact the Law Offices of Miguel S. Ramirez today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you obtain fair treatment in the workplace before it’s too late.