Sometimes employees find themselves in an uncomfortable work environment where they are being unfavorably, unjustly, and prejudicially treated. The common term used to describe this situation is discrimination. Laws (local, state, and federal) are designed to protect the interests of people in their workplaces, particularly when discrimination is involved. These laws are violated at times as employees are subjected to different forms of discrimination, including ageism, racism, bigotry, and sexism. In California, workers are protected from discrimination by the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) in different areas, including termination, applications and interviews, advertisements, compensation, promotion, and hiring. The case of discrimination can only be handled when reported. Unfortunately, the majority of the issues are not, resulting in toxicity within the workplace. Below is detailed information on the common forms of discrimination that may require legal action.
Alt: Age Discrimination
Age Discrimination
Workers can suffer discrimination because of their age. As an elderly, younger manager may assume your value to the workplace has reduced without considering your experience on the job. This can result in termination which can come with serious consequences, which may include the inability to find a new job as you’re already close to retiring. If you’re certain that your unjust termination was due to your age, you can contact a California employment discrimination attorney for a consultation.
Race Discrimination
Discrimination that is associated with race is not all about White vs.Black. Several races suffer discrimination. These include Hispanic vs. Black, Filipino vs. Hispanic, and Hispanic vs. White. The moment you are being treated differently in an unjust manner, it’s discrimination. This may require legal action.
Sex Discrimination
There are different forms of sex discrimination. Some people may suffer discrimination because of gender, childbirth, breastfeeding, and even pregnancy. Some of the instances of gender discrimination include paying an employee (woman) rather than another (man) with no cogent reasons, firing a woman because of not joining the “boy’s club,” or terminating an appointment because you’re female or male. Sex discrimination can also come in the form of unjust treatment against gender identity. It is gender identity discrimination if you’re fired for identifying as female but you were born male or identifying as male but you were born female. In addition, it is unlawful for your employer to fire you because of your gender expression, which can be due to your hairstyle, posture, or clothing. You can also suffer sexual orientation discrimination. If your workplace fires you because you are transgender, pansexual, bisexual, gay, straight, or any other area within the sexual orientation spectrum, you can file a case against them.
Religious Discrimination
It is illegal for you to be unjustly treated in your workplace because of your religious beliefs. This may be the denial of a religion-specific request, such as not working on Sabbath because you are Jewish. It may also be firing you because your religious beliefs do not align with our employer’s. In this situation, you may want to sue the workplace for unlawful firing.
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