Los Angeles Employment Discrimination Attorney
California firm fights for victims of workforce discrimination
No matter how many news stories there are about bosses and companies who violate employees’ rights, discrimination still exists in every type of job. Victims of bias are often intimidated into remaining silent, but with a strong lawyer by your side, you can assert your rights and hopefully create a better workplace for yourself and others. At the Law Offices of Victor Manrique in Los Angeles, I draw on more than 35 years of legal experience to help Southern California employees who have been mistreated due to personal characteristics subject to legal protection, including their race, religion, age, sex and disability status.
Common types of employment discrimination
Someone who can fulfill the requirements of a certain job should be given the opportunity to do so. Federal law prohibits workplace discrimination based on specific personal traits, and California has extended this protection to additional groups. Some of the common characteristics that give rise to discrimination claims include:
- Race, color and nationality — Ethnic and racial background cannot be used as a factor in employment matters.
- Sex, gender expression and sexual orientation — Within California, sex-based discrimination is unlawful. This includes mistreatment based on one’s sexual orientation, gender expression and pregnancy status.
- Religion — Bias based on faith might involve unfair hiring practices or the refusal to allow employees to engage in religious observances.
- Disability status — Employers are required to make reasonable accommodations for workers who can still complete their job duties despite a disability or medical condition.
- Age — Individuals aged 40 and older can bring a case if their age led to negative treatment.
Discrimination can be reflected in several ways. In some cases, people within a certain group might be paid lower wages. Alternatively, individuals with particular characteristics might not be hired at all, or fired first when an economic downturn occurs. Even if you only suspect that you were victimized by discrimination on the job, it is worthwhile to speak with a qualified employment attorney to determine if you are entitled to relief.
Protection under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and California law
The pivotal federal legislation that barred workplace discrimination was the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII of this law prohibits employers and labor unions form treating workers differently due to their race, religion, sex or national origin. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act and American Disabilities Act increased the scope of federal anti-bias laws. California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act addresses other situations where workers might be mistreated, such as when they have a particular medical condition or because they have a certain sexual orientation.
Two types of sexual harassment claims
One common form of discrimination against women is sexual harassment, which falls into one of two categories: quid pro quo and hostile work environment. Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when a boss or someone else in a superior workplace position tries to pressure an employee into giving them sexual attention. This might mean that a worker is threatened with firing or demotion if they don’t go out with the harasser. Alternatively, the boss might offer a raise or better work assignment if their victim provides sexual favors. The second type of unlawful sexual harassment occurs when supervisors, co-workers or others at a job site create a hostile work environment that targets a victim due to their sex. You might have a hostile work environment claim if you’ve been exposed to explicit images, crude comments, unwanted touching or other unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature.
Contact an aggressive Southern California discrimination lawyer for a consultation
The Law Offices of Victor Manrique assists clients in a full range of California employment discrimination cases. To set up a meeting about your legal options, please call 213-487-4733 or contact me online. My office is located on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles.
