Workplace Discrimination Attorney Los Angeles

Many California employees assume that discrimination in the workplace is mostly a thing of the past—until they experience it. Unfortunately, unequal treatment targeted at employees of particular backgrounds, identities, and beliefs is still a dark part of many modern workplaces, making the guidance of a workplace discrimination attorney Los Angeles residents trust more important than ever.

When employment discrimination goes unchallenged, it can have a destructive and long-term impact on your career goals, financial security, and mental health.

Fortunately, you don’t have to endure this unfair and illegal treatment. With the help of a workplace discrimination attorney in Los Angeles, employees who experience unlawful discrimination can take legal action to hold employers accountable and even recover compensation. At the Law Office of John Dalton, we advocate for California workers, regardless of job or income level.

Understanding Workplace Discrimination in California

Several federal and state laws protect employees and job candidates from illegal forms of discrimination in the workplace. In legal terms, discrimination is unfair treatment that targets employees because of their membership in a “protected class.” California state law recognizes the following protected classes:

Race,
Color,
National origin,
Ancestry,
Sex (including pregnancy status),
Religion,
Age (if over 40),
Disability,
Genetic information,
Marital status,
Sexual orientation,
Gender identity,
Medical condition, and
Military or veteran status.

Some of these classes also receive protections from federal laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Unfair or Unequal Treatment

Many types of unfair or unequal treatment can qualify as workplace discrimination, such as:

Verbal abuse—derogatory names, jokes, slurs, or degrading language;
Limiting opportunities—passing someone over for promotion, training, or more responsibility;
Unequal work distribution—certain employees are given a disproportionate amount of work or only menial tasks;
Isolation—excluding certain employees from important meetings and email threads;
Differences in benefits—certain groups receive lower pay or fewer job benefits for the same work as others; and
Unequal discipline—receiving harsher punishments or being held to different standards of behavior compared to employees of another group.

This list is not exhaustive, so consulting a workplace discrimination attorney is essential to understanding whether you have experienced unfair or unequal treatment.

Unintentional and Indirect Acts

Discrimination can also be unintentional and indirect. In some cases, workplace policies that appear neutral and harmless can negatively impact certain protected groups. For example, a company that enforces a dress code banning certain natural hairstyles or requiring workers to be clean-shaven might exclude or put a disproportionate burden on black employees or those who grow beards for religious reasons. When employees of these groups face reduced opportunities or negative consequences because of these standards, they could be victims of unlawful discrimination.

When to Contact a Los Angeles Workplace Discrimination Lawyer

Discrimination in the workplace is often harder to recognize than employees expect. Most employers understand that blatant prejudice is illegal and make an effort to mask it.

Some discrimination red flags include:

You’re excluded from a training opportunity you wanted by your manager who says “you’ll be retiring soon”;
Your boss withholds a promotion after you announce your pregnancy because of performance concerns;
Your manager only assigns you to non-customer-facing roles because you speak English with an accent;
Your company won’t extend health benefits to your same-sex spouse; and
HR repeatedly denies your requests for leave on religious holidays without a business-related reason.

If you experience these situations, contact a Los Angeles workplace discrimination lawyer immediately. California and federal law have deadlines for taking action against discriminatory employers. If you wait too long to get legal help, you can lose your chance to hold them accountable and recover financial compensation.

How Workplace Discrimination Lawyers in Los Angeles Can Help

An employment attorney’s support is essential for employment discrimination victims to protect themselves and their livelihoods. An experienced discrimination lawyer can help:

Evaluate your situation and identify whether your employer violated your rights;
Investigate potential patterns of targeted unequal treatment;
Advise you on how to document incidents and protect yourself from retaliation at work;
Collect documentary evidence and conduct witness interviews to support your claim;
File a complaint with state or federal agencies in preparation for a lawsuit; and
Represent you in court or settlement negotiations.

A workplace discrimination attorney in Los Angeles can also help advocate for you to receive financial compensation. Employees can recover compensatory damages for back pay, emotional distress, and attorney fees with a legal professional’s insights and negotiation skills.

Get the Help You Deserve

If you’re concerned you’ve been the target of discrimination at work, don’t settle for just any workplace discrimination attorneys in Los Angeles. The Law Office of John Dalton offers employees quality legal support for all workplace discrimination cases Angelenos face. When you come to John for help, you can have confidence in the following:

Guidance shaped by over 25 years of experience in California and federal employment law;
A compassionate and highly personalized approach to client relationships;
An advocate who exclusively represents workers, not employers or corporations; and
A track record of multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements won for clients.

Resources:Cal. Gov. Code § 12940, link.