Experiencing discrimination at work can be overwhelming and emotionally damaging, leaving you uncertain about your rights and available options. Whether you’re facing unfair treatment based on race, gender, age, or disability, understanding employment discrimination laws helps protect your career.
Knowing what constitutes employment discrimination and how to respond legally can make the difference between suffering in silence and taking action.
1. Understanding what qualifies as discrimination
Employment discrimination includes unfair treatment in hiring, firing, promotions, job assignments, training opportunities and workplace conditions based on protected characteristics.
Discrimination can be blatant, such as being told you won’t be promoted because of your gender, or subtle, like consistently receiving unfavorable assignments after disclosing a disability. Both direct discrimination and patterns of disparate treatment that disproportionately impact protected groups violate California employment laws.
2. Documenting incidents and building your case
Keep detailed records of every discriminatory incident, including dates, times, witnesses present and exactly what was said or done. Save emails, text messages, performance reviews and any written communications that support your claims of unfair treatment.
Report discrimination through your company’s internal complaint procedures first, as this creates an official record and grants your employer the opportunity to address the situation. Document these internal complaints and your employer’s response, as retaliation for filing discrimination complaints is itself illegal.
3. Know your rights and filing deadlines
You have the right to file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department within one year of the discriminatory act. The CRD will investigate your claim and determine if there is reasonable cause to believe discrimination occurred. During this process, you’re protected from all forms of retaliation by your employer for filing the complaint or participating in the investigation. If the CRD finds merit in your case, they may attempt to resolve the matter through mediation or issue you a right to sue notice.
Employment discrimination cases can be challenging to wade through and require enough documentation to prove your claims. Consider seeking legal guidance to be in a better position to get a fair hearing and justice.