Practice Area
Discrimination
Bluestone Law Represents Victims of Discrimination in the Workplace
Discrimination in the workplace is a grave and, sadly, prevalent problem. Our team of lawyers at Bluestone Law knows firsthand the deep toll that discrimination can take on an individual’s career and personal life. It’s vital to recognize that discrimination can manifest well before an employee is dismissed or compelled to leave their job.
Discrimination can present itself in numerous ways. It can be overt through direct acts of prejudice or it can be more insidious, stemming from practices or policies that unintentionally discriminate, which is referred to as “disparate impact”. Regardless of its form, discrimination has a damaging effect on the victim’s professional and personal wellbeing.
It’s worth noting that California law offers some of the most robust workplace protections in the country, but it requires a skilled attorney to help you champion your rights. Our lawyers at Bluestone Law possess the expertise and experience necessary to guide you through the intricate process of filing a discrimination claim and seeking the justice you deserve. We are staunchly committed to safeguarding the rights of employees who have suffered discrimination and will diligently pursue justice on their behalf.
Common Forms of Discrimination in the Workplace
Discrimination can take many forms, and the law prohibits several types, including:
Age Discrimination
Workers aged 40 and older may encounter age discrimination, where they are treated less favorably than their younger colleagues. This may manifest in wrongful termination, being passed over for job opportunities or promotions despite equal qualifications, or even experiencing verbal harassment that demeans them based on their age.
Mental and Physical Disability Discrimination
It’s unlawful for employers to discriminate against employees who have qualifying physical or mental disabilities. California law requires employers to provide “reasonable accommodations” and engage in an “interactive process” for disabled employees, such as modifying work schedules or providing special equipment, to help them perform their job duties despite their disabilities.
Sex/Gender Discrimination
This type of discrimination occurs when individuals are treated unfairly or subjected to discrimination due to their sex. A common example is the wage gap, where women are often paid significantly less than their male counterparts for doing the same job with equal competence.
Sexual Orientation Discrimination
Everyone deserves respect and fair treatment in the workplace, regardless of who they love. However, some employers still discriminate against individuals based on their sexual orientation, denying them equal employment opportunities and benefits.
National Origin and Ancestry Discrimination
Employees can be discriminated against based on where they come from or their ethnicity. This discrimination can manifest in various ways, such as unequal treatment, derogatory comments, or hostile work environments that target individuals because of their national origin or ancestry.
Pregnancy Discrimination
Pregnant employees are protected by California law from discrimination in hiring, firing, promotions, and job assignments. Employers are also required to provide job-protected leave for pregnant women, allowing them to take time off without fear of losing their job.
Race and Color Discrimination
Discriminating against an employee due to their skin color or race is illegal. This includes treating someone unfairly because they are married to or associated with someone of a specific race or color.
Religious Discrimination
Employees should not face differential treatment based on their religious or non-religious beliefs. This includes being denied equal treatment, facing verbal harassment, or being compelled to participate in religious activities against their will.
Medical Condition and Genetic Information Discrimination
Employers are prohibited from treating employees with covered medical conditions unfairly or terminating them due to their medical condition. California law requires employers to provide “reasonable accommodations” for employees with disabilities caused by a medical condition, enabling them to perform their job duties despite their disabilities.
Marital and Family Status Discrimination
Discrimination based on marital or family status occurs when employees are penalized or treated unfairly due to their marital status or having a family. Examples include not being hired or receiving unequal compensation or benefits compared to single colleagues or those without children.
Bluestone Law Represents Victims of Discrimination in the Workplace
Discrimination against employees is a recurrent problem in workplaces. Our team at Bluestone Law understands the impact of discrimination on employees, transforming once-loved jobs into daily nightmares. Employees often endure discrimination for an extended period before being terminated or compelled to resign. We at Bluestone Law aggressively confront employers to secure maximum compensation for victims of discrimination.
Workplace discrimination can take various forms, both overt and subtle, and all adversely affect the victim’s professional and personal life. Discrimination typically results in less favorable workplace conditions based on an employee’s affiliation with one or more protected groups. While California law offers strong workplace protections, an experienced attorney is essential to help you advocate for your rights.
