Different Types Of Discrimination In California Workplaces

Federal anti-discrimination laws generally apply to private employers with at least 15 employees. However, California prohibitions reach even smaller private employers prohibiting employers of 5 or more employees from discriminating against job applicants or employees or retaliating against them for asserting their rights.

Discrimination in California Workplaces

Laws prohibiting discrimination apply to all different types of business practices, including:

• Advertisements for job openings
• Screening of job applicants
• Interviewing job applicants
• Hiring new employees
• Assigning transfers to employees
• Offering employee promotions
• Terminating an employee
• Determining compensation
• Controlling working conditions
• Selection for training opportunities
• Inclusion in apprenticeship programs

Anti-Discrimination Laws Apply to Employers’ Business Practices

Anti-discrimination laws apply to public and private employers, employment agencies, and labor organizations. There are many different types of discrimination that can cause significant harm to California workers.

Different Types of Discrimination Often Seen in California Workplaces:

Age discrimination: discriminating against someone based on their age

Disability Discrimination: discriminating against someone based on their disability

Pregnancy discrimination: discriminating against someone based on their pregnancy

National origin discrimination: discriminating against someone based on their nation of origin

Genetic Discrimination: discriminating against someone based on their genetics

Discrimination based on sexual orientation: discriminating against someone based on their sexual orientation

Racial discrimination: discriminating against someone based on their race

Gender-based discrimination: discriminating against someone based on their gender

In addition to discrimination, harassment based on protected characteristics is also illegal, including sexual or racial harassment.

Requirements for Reasonable Accommodations in California Workplaces:

In certain instances, an employer must make reasonable accommodations for a protected characteristic if a worker is otherwise qualified to complete their job. For example, an employer may be required to make adjustments to a worker with a physical disability’s workstation if doing so allows them to perform their job or if a worker’s religion mandates specific dress or grooming practices, an employer may be required to accommodate what may otherwise violate dress code or company policy.

Retaliation Often Follows Workplace Discrimination:

In many cases, acts of workplace discrimination are often followed closely by acts of workplace retaliation. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against an employee who reports an instance of discrimination, files a claim of discrimination, files a claim of harassment, cooperates in an investigation of another employee’s discrimination claim or lawsuit, etc. Common acts of workplace retaliation include termination, demotion, or harassment.

If you need to discuss filing a California discrimination lawsuit or have questions about California labor law violations, contact Moss Bollinger, Sherman Oaks, California personal injury attorney. He’s dedicated to protecting and asserting the rights of his clients. Call (310) 982-2291 today for a free consultation, or contact us online.