Understanding Your Rights if You Have Been Discriminated Against at Work
Any form of workplace discrimination is wrong, and in most cases, it is unlawful. State and federal law provide a number of protections for employees in an attempt to prohibit job discrimination, but unfortunately, it is still prevalent in the workforce.
At Levin & Nalbandyan, we are nationally recognized employment law attorneys fighting to protect workers like you from discrimination. Our trial lawyers are highly experienced, having recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients.
If you have experienced workplace discrimination, contact our office at (213) 232-4848 to speak with a lawyer now.
How to Know if You Are Being Discriminated Against at Work
Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), it is illegal for an employer to discriminate against an employee based on their race, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and more.
Discrimination in the workplace can be subtle. However, if an employer is taking harmful action against you because you are a member of a protected class, they may be liable.
Harmful actions that may constitute discrimination:
- Demotion
- Termination
- Refusing to hire
- Barring or Discharging from a training program
- Salary reduction
- Harassment, including sexual harassment
- Verbal abuse or derogatory comments
- Hostility, bias, or unfair treatment
If you are a protected class member and have experienced discrimination at work, you might be entitled to compensation. Taking legal action against your employer ensures that the discrimination is brought to light and may help to prevent the behavior in the future.
When to File a Complaint Based on Discrimination
Often, employees fear getting fired or another form of retaliation for bringing forward concerns about workplace discrimination. It is important to note that you are protected against employer retaliation or other forms of punishment based on your decision to speak out against wrongful acts.
You should consider submitting a workplace discrimination claim if you:
- Are a member of a protected class;
- Have adequately performed your job duties or are able to perform them; and
- Have had harmful actions taken against you; or
- Have been treated differently than your coworkers; or
- Have experienced negative comments or harassment related to your protected class.
An attorney can help investigate whether there were coworkers that may have witnessed the discrimination, documents to support your case, or if there was a pattern and practice of discrimination at your workplace.
Fighting for Victims of Workplace Discrimination
Workplace discrimination claims can be challenging to prove without the help of an experienced attorney. An attorney can subpoena witnesses and documents to help prove your case. Damages in a workplace discrimination case might include lost past and future wages if you were wrongfully terminated, lost benefits, emotional distress damages, and more.
The discrimination lawyers of Levin & Nalbandyan have decades of experience fighting for those who have been unfairly treated in their workplace. There are never any fees unless we win. Contact our office at (213) 232-4848 to get started. All consultations are free and confidential.