Costa Mesa Employment Law Counsel

Employees should never have to face a hostile work environment because of who they are. America has worked to make workers feel safer in the workplace, but we have a long way to go before harassment cases disappear. Working with Costa Mesa employment law counsel during times of discrimination or retaliation can help you regain control of your life.

With decades of legal experience, the team at California Employment Counsel, APC, is here to fight on your behalf. We work under the core belief that everyone should have access to competent legal services. Our client base consists of people going through destabilizing and scary situations.

Our attorneys approach every new client with the empathy they deserve and often haven’t gotten. We’ve helped secure millions of dollars in settlements for our clients. Let’s work together to fight for your legal rights and ensure that what happened to you never happens again.

The Fair Employment and Housing Act is a California law that protects people from harassment and discrimination in the workplace and in housing. At work, it’s illegal for an employer to treat someone unfairly because of:

• Age
• Ancestry
• Skin color
• Taking family or medical leave
• Mental or physical disabilities, including HIV or AIDS
• Marital status
• Medical conditions like cancer or genetic traits
• National origin
• Race
• Religion
• Sex or gender
• Sexual orientation

If you suspect you’ve faced discrimination based on an above-protected characteristic, it’s important to report it to HR or your employer. If they fail to take action, or you feel unsafe in reporting, contact an employment lawyer and file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. You have three years from the last date the discrimination happened to file your complaint.

From there, the Civil Rights Department will investigate what happened to resolve your issue. In 2023, the Civil Rights Department investigated 185 employee complaints in Orange County.

The top employers in Orange County include Fairview Developmental Center, Menzies Aviation, and Broadcom Corporation. Recognizing workplace harassment and discrimination can be challenging.

Perpetrators often use subtle bigotry to make the victim feel unsafe, while also questioning their version of reality. It’s incredibly manipulative. However, certain actions can be more obvious. Common examples can include:

• Being passed over for a promotion or big project
• Not being invited to workplace meetings, especially when it’s relevant to your job description
• Being ignored or harshly criticized
• Facing unwanted sexual or romantic advances
• Slurs directed at you
• Being yelled at
• Being fired
• Getting demoted or your work hours being reduced

If you have a disability, medical condition, or pregnancy-related need, California law gives you the right to reasonable accommodations at work. Reasonable accommodations are changes to your work environment, job duties, or company policies that let you perform your essential job functions. Examples include:

• Being allowed to work from home
• Flexible or reduced schedules
• Assistive technology
• Medical leave
• Temporary reassignment
• Extra breaks for medical needs
• A private space for lactation

In California, 4,527,224 people live with disabilities. Of those living with disabilities, 41.4% were employed in 2025, compared to 77.8% of California employees without a disability. When an employee discloses their disability, they have a right to request reasonable workplace accommodations.

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination. Under this act, disabilities can include:

• Diabetes
• Use of mobility devices, such as a wheelchair or a cane
• Autism
• Deafness or hearing loss
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Blindness or low vision
• Epilepsy

The process for requesting reasonable accommodation begins when you inform your employer of your need for accommodation. Your employer must act promptly to explore possible accommodations with you.

The Family and Medical Leave Act, or FMLA, is a federal law that lets employees take unpaid, job-protected leave for certain medical and family reasons. While on FMLA leave, your employer must continue your group health insurance under the same terms as if you were working.

Eligible employees can take up to twelve workweeks of leave in a 12-month period for several reasons, including:

• The birth of a child or caring for a newly born child within the first year
• Caring for a newly adopted or foster child within the first year
• Caring for a spouse, parent, or child with a serious health condition
• If the employee has a serious health condition that prevents them from doing their job
• Certain situations when a family member is on active military duty

If your employer treats you negatively for using your FMLA, you have the right to pursue a legal case.

Workplace retaliation occurs when an employer punishes an employee for exercising their legal rights, such as reporting harassment, discrimination, or unsafe conditions. To prove retaliation, you need evidence showing:

• Your protected characteristic or activity, such as filing a complaint or requesting FMLA
• The adverse action by your employer, such as termination or demotion
• A link between the two. This can be done by collecting extensive evidence. Evidence can include written communication, detailed, timestamped notes of incidents, and eyewitness testimony from co-workers who witnessed the incidents. Your lawyer can help you understand what evidence to gather and help you do so.

Reach out to the skilled attorneys at California Employment Counsel, APC, to learn how we can assist you in your case. No one should be made to feel unsafe at work. If you’ve experienced this, having a strong support system can help you get through this difficult time. Our Costa Mesa lawyers are honored to be a part of our clients’ support systems. Let us handle the legal side of things so you can focus on your well-being.