Richmond Employment Discrimination Lawyer

What Is Employment Discrimination?

Contra Costa County, California, is home to about 43,108 businesses and has a labor force of about 646,192 people. Both state and federal laws protect these employees from discrimination by their employers. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it unlawful to discriminate against an employee based on their color, race, sex, or national origin. Additions to this act also protect employees against discrimination based on their age, disability, pregnancy, and childbirth. 

The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) is a California law that protects employees against discrimination at work based on:

• Race of color
• National origin
• Religion
• Age
• Disability
• Sexual origin
• Marital status
• Military or veteran status
• Gender identity

Employment discrimination occurs when an employer treats one employee or a group differently from others because of a protected characteristic. It can affect different aspects of the workplace, including the hiring process, promotions, work assignments, and pay.

Common Types of Employment Discrimination

Understanding and knowing your rights as an employee is a key factor in protecting yourself against discrimination. It is also important to recognize the types of discrimination. You could have a discrimination case if:

• Your employer refuses to make accommodations for pregnancy-related health needs.
• You are passed over for a promotion you are qualified for because of your age. 
• Your employer denies reasonable accommodations, such as a modified workspace for an employee with a disability.
• You are punished or terminated for reporting discrimination.

The most common type of discrimination, according to the EEOC, is retaliation. Retaliation made up almost 48% of claims. 

What To Do If You Experience Employment Discrimination

If you experience discrimination at work based on one or more of the protected characteristics, you have a right to report it and seek justice. Prompt action is important. In California, the statute of limitations for filing an employment discrimination claim is generally three years from the date of harassment or discrimination to file an administrative complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD).  

The steps you should take if you experience discrimination at work include:

• Document everything that happened. It is important to keep detailed records of discrimination you experience or witness. Make note of specific times, dates, locations, and the type of incident. 
• Report the discrimination. Once you have documentation, report the incident or incidents to your company’s HR department or your supervisor. This initiates an internal investigation and shows that you are taking steps to address the problem. 
• File a complaint. If your company does not address the problem, the next step is to file a complaint with California’s Civil Rights Department. This agency can start an investigation into the claim.
• Hire an employment discrimination lawyer. California’s employment laws are complex. An experienced attorney familiar with employment discrimination laws can provide you with guidance throughout the process, help you understand your options, and protect your rights. 

Recoverable Damages in an Employment Discrimination Case

If you have faced discrimination at work, you may be eligible to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, such as:

• Lost wages to cover the income you lost if you were unfairly terminated, or lost because you didn’t receive fair pay 
• Loss of benefits. This can be health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid leave.
• Back pay. You may be eligible to receive payment for work you completed but didn’t get paid for. 
• Pain and suffering as a result of the discrimination
• Emotional distress
• Attorney’s fees

Why Hire an Employment Discrimination Lawyer

An attorney with experience and knowledge of employment discrimination law can provide the support and guidance needed to successfully file a claim against your employer. They can guide you through the process, help you identify unlawful practices in your workplace, and make sure you file paperwork in a timely manner so you don’t miss important deadlines.

It doesn’t matter if you have experienced discrimination at work from a huge manufacturing or industrial company in Point Richmond or along Canal Boulevard, or at a small business along Macdonald Avenue. You have rights as an employee that must be adhered to. A seasoned legal team can increase your chance of success with an employment discrimination case.