Irvine Workplace Discrimination Lawyer
No one deserves to be treated unfairly at work, regardless of who they are or what they believe. The unfortunate reality is that workplace discrimination is still a serious problem that needs to be addressed. If you have been harassed or discriminated against on the job, now is the right time to seek help from a dedicated employment attorney.
An Irvine workplace discrimination lawyer could help you pursue compensation based on your mistreatment. This process starts with a careful review of the facts and can include negotiating a settlement or filing a lawsuit on your behalf.
Protected Classes in California
Both state and federal law combine to protect individuals from being discriminated against or harassed based on their membership in a protected class. In general, state law provides additional protections compared to the rights guaranteed at the federal level. These rights come from different statutes, including the Fair Employment Housing Act and the California Family Rights Act. These protected classes include the following:
- Age
- Citizenship
- Skin color
- Ancestry or national origin
- Gender identity
- Marital status
- Disability
- Religion
These are only a few of the protected classes outlined under the law. When a worker is treated unfairly and believes this mistreatment is related to their place in one of these classes, an Irvine workplace discrimination attorney may be able to help.
How Workplace Discrimination Happens
Not every act of discrimination in the workplace is the same. Understanding what this workplace discrimination looks like is helpful because it is important to seek out guidance from an Irvine attorney sooner rather than later.
Denial of Promotions
One of the most common examples of discrimination relates to a person’s inability to obtain a promotion. While workers should be promoted based on their skills and accomplishments, some people find themselves being passed over based on factors like their gender or race. Unexpected demotions can also qualify. When an individual is the logical choice for a promotion or raise but is passed over for a less qualified employee, it is time to discuss these matters with an attorney.
Unexplained Transfers
When businesses have multiple branches, being transferred to a different location without an explanation could be a sign of discrimination. This is especially true when it comes with a long-distance move or a transfer to a location with limited room for upward mobility.
Hiring or Firing Decisions
Discrimination can also result in the termination of a person’s employment or the prevention of getting a job entirely. These decisions should never be made on factors like gender or sexual orientation, but discrimination of this type is commonplace.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is another type of discrimination that should never occur in the workplace. It can take different forms, from inappropriate touching to retaliation for rebuffing sexual advances. Any of these behaviors creates a hostile work environment that no one should have to experience. Protections in place allow workers to pursue legal action when they are subjected to sexual harassment at their job.
Reach Out to a Workplace Discrimination Attorney in Irvine Today
If you have faced incidents of discrimination or harassment at the workplace, you may be entitled to compensation. Instead of attempting to resolve these issues on your own, reach out to an Irvine workplace harassment lawyer as soon as possible.