Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or job applicant unfavorably because of a protected characteristic. California law provides some of the strongest anti-discrimination protections in the nation, going beyond federal law. If you have been demoted, denied a promotion, harassed, or terminated because of who you are, you have legal rights.
California's primary anti-discrimination law, FEHA, covers employers with five or more employees (unlike federal law which requires 15). It prohibits discrimination based on an extensive list of protected categories and applies to all aspects of the employment relationship.
Discrimination can be intentional (disparate treatment) where an employer deliberately treats someone differently based on a protected characteristic, or unintentional (disparate impact) where a seemingly neutral policy disproportionately harms a protected group.
California allows for significant damages in discrimination cases, including back pay, front pay, emotional distress damages, attorney's fees, and in cases of malice or oppression, punitive damages designed to punish wrongdoers.
Workplace discrimination is the unequal treatment of an employee or applicant based on protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age (40 and over), disability, pregnancy, national origin, marital status, or military status. California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits discrimination in all aspects of employment including hiring, firing, promotions, compensation, and training.
FEHA is broader than federal law in several key ways. It applies to employers with 5 or more employees (vs. 15 under federal law), covers more protected categories, provides stronger remedies, and does not cap compensatory and punitive damages.
Proof can include direct evidence (discriminatory statements) or circumstantial evidence such as being replaced by someone outside your protected class, disparate treatment compared to similarly situated coworkers, timing of adverse actions, and statistical evidence of a pattern of discrimination.
Document everything — save emails, take notes on conversations, and record dates of incidents. Report the discrimination through your employer's internal complaint process. Consult with an employment attorney to understand your rights and preserve your claims before deadlines expire.
Our firm brings a strategic approach to workplace discrimination cases, backed by deep knowledge of California's expansive protections under FEHA. We understand the subtle ways discrimination manifests in the modern workplace and know how to build compelling evidence to prove your case. We have successfully represented employees against Fortune 500 companies and small businesses alike.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay us unless we win your case.
We have a proven record of securing substantial compensation for our clients.
Workplace discrimination can be isolating and demoralizing, but you do not have to face it alone. Contact The Azizi Firm today for a free consultation about your discrimination claim. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Don't settle for less than you deserve. Reach out to us for a free, confidential evaluation with no risk, and let us help you achieve the best possible outcome in your case.
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