Employment Discrimination Lawyers

Orange County Employment Discrimination Lawyer

If you have been a victim of employment discrimination of any kind you should consult with an experienced California employment law attorney at Sessions & Kimball, LLP.

California has some of the strongest employment anti-discrimination laws in the nation. The state’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate on the basis of any of the following:

• Age
• Race
• Religion
• Gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and other related medical conditions)
• National origin
• Ancestry
• Gender
• Military and veteran status
• Physical/mental disability
• Medical condition (such as cancer)
• Marital status
• Sexual orientation

Federal law also provides protection against discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other laws enacted for that purpose. But it is often less favorable to employees than FEHA.

If you have been a victim of employment discrimination on the basis of race, sex, pregnancy, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic, it is in your best interests to consult with an experienced California employment law attorney. Powerful and effective protection is available to employees under state and federal law.

Types of Discrimination in the Workplace
Discrimination against employees can take many forms. Examples include:

• Hiring: An employer cannot base hiring decisions on stereotypes. For example, an employer cannot refuse to give employment applications to people of a certain race.
• Job Assignments and Promotions: An employer may not give preference to employees of a certain religion when making shift assignments and may not segregate employees of a particular race from other employees or from customers.
• Pay and Benefits: An employer cannot discriminate against an employee in paying wages or benefits, including sick and vacation leave, insurance, retirement programs, or access to overtime and overtime pay. For example, women cannot be paid less for performing substantially similar work to a male colleague.

Broader Protection against Discrimination under California Law
The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) designates more protected classes than those listed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) as protected under federal law. Under state law, there are no caps on damages or limits on attorney fees. The burden of proof is less restrictive for aggrieved employees, and employers do not have the special defenses that are available under federal law.

Another advantage under California law is that employees have one year from the date of a discriminatory act to file a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). Under federal law, employees only have 300 days from the date of a discriminatory violation to file a charge with the EEOC.

Legal Help for California Victims of Employment Discrimination
At Sessions & Kimball LLP, we focus exclusively on employee rights. We are regularly recognized as one of the region’s “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News and World Report, and our experienced employment law attorneys have been listed among California Super Lawyers®. You can rely on our knowledgeable Orange County employment lawyers for outstanding representation in your employment discrimination matter. Contact us today for a free consultation with an attorney to see what we can do for you.

Sources:
DFEH: Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)
EEOC: Discrimination by Type

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