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Last Modified on Jul 19, 2026
If you face discrimination in the workplace, laws in California exist to provide a legal mechanism for you to fight back against this mistreatment, and there are also various federal laws you should know in this difficult situation. An experienced Los Angeles discrimination attorney can help you exercise your rights and seek compensation for the damages you have suffered because of any illegal violation of state or federal discrimination laws.
Understanding Discrimination in the Workplace Laws in California
It is illegal for any employer in the US to treat employees differently based on legally protected personal characteristics, such as their race, skin color, age, sex, national origin, religion, or medical status. Unfortunately, workplace discrimination is a pervasive issue, and there are laws at the federal and state levels that you must understand if you experience any form of unlawful discrimination.
At the federal level, US anti-discrimination laws are enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In fiscal year 2024, the EEOC received 88,531 new charges of discrimination nationwide. In response to those reports, the EEOC successfully recovered more than $700 million in damages for adversely affected employees. In California, the Civil Rights Department (CRD) enforces state-level anti-discrimination laws.
One of the most challenging aspects of workplace discrimination cases in California is that many people do not realize they are being unlawfully discriminated against, and others endure prolonged mistreatment out of fear of losing their jobs. Some of the most commonly reported forms of workplace discrimination in California include:
- Harassment on the basis of protected personal characteristics. “Harassment” can include any behavior that makes it difficult or impossible for the targeted employee to perform their job duties.
- Sexual harassment, which may entail sexual battery charges if the victim is sexually assaulted at work. Sexual harassment could include “quid pro quo” offers of job benefits in exchange for sexual favors, or threatening job-related penalties if the employee does not perform such favors.
- Wrongful termination, or the unlawful firing of an employee on the basis of protected characteristics. Most employment in California is “at will,” meaning both employers and employees can end working relationships at any time for any reason, but at-will employment laws do not allow employers to be discriminatory in their firing decisions.
- Retaliation, which can include any punitive action taken against an employee in response to their legally protected action. For example, an employee may have hours cut or receive a demotion after reporting harassment to their supervisor or the Human Resources department.
These are only a few examples of how workplace discrimination can happen in California. If you believe that you have experienced any form of discrimination, you should report the incident to your supervisor and follow your employer’s internal conflict resolution channels to resolve the situation. If this does not yield acceptable results, then you should hire a hostile work environment lawyer in Los Angeles to review your case.
Filing a Workplace Discrimination Claim in California
If you have suffered losses from workplace discrimination, you can file a claim with the California CRD and/or the EEOC to report the incident. You may have provable cause to file a discrimination claim against your employer, but filing a formal report with an oversight agency is necessary before proceeding with your claim. Once the EEOC and/or CRD reviews your report, they will advise you of the next steps to take with your case.
An experienced California workplace discrimination attorney can explain the steps you need to take with your claim, help you file complete and accurate reports, and assess the total damages you may be eligible to claim if you succeed with your case. Many employees adversely affected by workplace discrimination in California obtain compensation for lost pay and benefits, other economic losses, emotional distress, and liquidated damages based on the severity of their experience.
Ultimately, facing any type of workplace discrimination can be distressing, and legal counsel you can trust is an invaluable asset for resolving your case. If you have questions about discrimination in the workplace laws in California, the team at Park APC is ready to assist you. Our firm has proven experience helping clients with these difficult cases, so reach out to our firm at your first opportunity to learn how we can assist you.
FAQs About Discrimination in the Workplace Laws in California
How Do You Prove Workplace Discrimination?
Proving workplace discrimination can be challenging, but your California workplace discrimination attorney will know what evidence you need to build your case. Witness statements, records of emails and other communications with your employer, and incident reports from failed attempts to report discrimination internally could all be helpful evidence in your case.
What Are the Penalties for Workplace Discrimination in California?
Penalties for workplace discrimination in California could include more than just liability for the victim’s lost pay, emotional distress, and other damages. The employer could also face heavy fines from the California CRD and/or EEOC. If any criminal misconduct occurred, the party responsible is likely to face criminal charges in addition to civil liability for the victim’s damages.
What Is the Difference Between Direct and Indirect Workplace Discrimination?
The main difference between direct and indirect workplace discrimination is that direct discrimination targets an employee or group of employees based on their personal characteristics, while indirect discrimination creates an atmosphere of apparent preferential treatment or a disproportionate advantage for a specific group based on protected characteristics. Both are illegal in California.
Why Should I Hire a Workplace Discrimination Lawyer?
You should hire a workplace discrimination lawyer because these are inherently challenging cases in several ways. Confronting an employer can be daunting, and your case may require a report to the California CRD and/or EEOC. You are more likely to succeed with your case and recover suitable compensation for your damages if you have skilled legal counsel on your side.
Contact Us Today
The attorneys at Park APC have an extensive record of successful legal representation in workplace discrimination cases throughout California. If you have questions about discrimination in the workplace laws in California and your legal rights, we can provide the answers you need. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about our legal services.
