Costa Mesa Gender Discrimination Lawyers

Every worker in California has the right to equal treatment and respect in the workplace. State and federal labor laws make it illegal for anyone to discriminate against or harass an employee because of their protected class, including gender. If you experience mistreatment at work because of your gender, our Costa Mesa gender discrimination lawyers can help you protect your rights and hold your employer responsible for their unlawful actions.

The legal team at California Employment Counsel, APC, understands how complicated it can be to stand up for yourself in a situation involving your employer. You may be afraid of losing your job or hurting your reputation. A Costa Mesa gender discrimination attorney can help you determine the next steps for a gender discrimination case. Our trusted lawyers have a deep knowledge of gender discrimination laws and a track record of success in cases like yours.

When you are facing a situation involving gender discrimination, it is vital that you start building a case as soon as possible and pursue accountability. A crucial step is to hire a gender discrimination lawyer so you can feel confident that your case is being handled by someone who knows what they’re doing and cares about the outcome.

At California Employment Counsel, APC, we prioritize our clients’ needs, and our focus is on helping employees fight back.  Our legal team is comprised of devoted attorneys who have been recognized by peers and clients for excellence. Our legal team has helped our clients receive significant settlements against powerful companies. We bring our determination and focus to every case to make sure our clients have the highest possible chance of their desired outcome.

Gender discrimination cases are unfortunately not rare in California. Recent statistical data shows nearly 1,500 cases of sex-related discrimination and 74 involving the Equal Pay Act throughout the state in 2024, ranking in the top 5 states. A 2024 study revealed that women in the Orange County workplace had a well-being score of only 49.8 out of 100.

A 2024 report by the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) stated that, while women only made up 48% of the workforce in the state, they made up 53% of workers in the lowest pay range, earning $32,239 or less.

Court proceedings for gender discrimination cases in Costa Mesa are often handled at the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, at the Costa Mesa Justice Complex at 3390 Harbor Blvd. However, there is often a rigid procedure that must be followed before a worker is eligible to file a legal claim.

There are many forms that gender discrimination can take in the workplace. Some forms may be so subtle that you might not even realize you were being discriminated against until much later. Here are some of the different ways that gender discrimination can manifest in the workplace:

• Hiring and promotion. It is illegal at the state and federal levels to discriminate against anyone during the hiring process because of their gender, but that doesn’t mean it still doesn’t happen. Examples include asking a female candidate about whether she has plans to have children or hiring a less qualified man for a role that a qualified woman applied for.
• Unequal pay and/or benefits. If a man and a woman both have the same job and have the same experience doing that job, it can be considered gender discrimination if the woman is paid less than the man. Additionally, an employer can’t deny one gender’s benefits while allowing another to access theirs fully. For example, a woman’s pay is cut after maternity leave but not after a man’s medical leave.
• Workplace culture. It is an employer’s job to foster a safe and secure workplace culture. However, some employers refuse to get involved when employees engage in discriminatory actions that foster a hostile work environment. Sexual harassment, stereotyping, and unequal disciplinary actions can all be forms of gender discrimination.
• Pregnancy bias. It’s an unfortunate fact that some workplaces refuse to treat pregnant employees with the same consideration as other employees. Some employers may simply refuse to hire pregnant applicants because they need significant time off. If your employer is denying reasonable accommodations for your pregnancy or punishing you for trying to take maternity leave, you may have grounds for a complaint or legal claim.
• Gender expression. Everyone should be allowed to identify as any gender they feel comfortable with. If your employer is refusing to accommodate your gender identity, intentionally misgendering you, using the incorrect pronouns, or looking the other way regarding hostile remarks and slurs, you may have a case for gender discrimination.

To file a complaint against your company for gender discrimination, the first thing you need to do is gather enough evidence to prove it. Make sure you have a detailed list of every relevant incident. Collect emails, texts, audio recordings, video footage, and witness statements. Then, you should bring this complaint to your company’s human resources department. If nothing is done, then you should file with the state’s Civil Rights Department (CRD).

Once the CRD has completed its investigation, it may supply you with a notice that allows you to take legal action against your employer for civil damages. A skilled gender discrimination lawyer can provide legal counsel throughout this process, including explaining how the laws apply, making sure you meet deadlines and legal requirements, and representing you in hearings and court proceedings as needed.

It can be frustrating and stressful to be the victim of gender discrimination in the workplace. Holding your employer accountable for their actions can be difficult work, but an experienced gender discrimination lawyer can help you build a case and advocate for your rights and interests.

At California Employment Counsel, APC, we can give you the opportunity to seek damages from your employer for causing you reputational, emotional, and financial harm. Contact us to speak to someone on our legal team about what we can do to help.