Costa Mesa Workplace Discrimination Lawyer

Workplace discrimination laws in Costa Mesa are complex, leading to difficulties for both employees and employers involved in such legal cases. Whether you are facing workplace discrimination claims or believe you have been subject to discrimination at your job, an experienced Costa Mesa workplace discrimination lawyer can closely review your case and provide you with strong legal support.

The experienced employment team at California Employment Counsel, APC, has a strong reputation of successfully representing both workers and employers alike in workplace discrimination cases. Such cases are highly sensitive, involving robust evidence and understanding of local, state, and federal employment law, working with a skilled attorney can make all the difference.

The California Fair Employment and Housing Act and the federal Title VII of the Civil Rights Act make workplace discrimination based on protected characteristics, such as religion, sexual orientation, race, gender, disability, and pregnancy status, against the law. Instances of workplace discrimination happen when an employer carries out adverse acts against a job applicant or worker based on one of these protected characteristics.

Examples of workplace discrimination may include failure for an employer to give reasonable accommodations to a worker who is breastfeeding, terminating an employee because of their age or race, or refusing to equally pay a male and female workers who complete the same job tasks and have the same qualifications. Discriminatory hiring practices can also constitute workplace discrimination.

If you believe that you have been subject to workplace discrimination, a skilled Costa Mesa workplace discrimination attorney can help you develop a strong legal strategy to succeed in your case.

If you have been a victim of workplace discrimination, you may be entitled to compensation for non-economic and economic damages. For example, a compensation package could cover lost income and benefits, reimbursement for any legal fees, damages for emotional distress, and, in cases of particularly egregious conduct, punitive damages. A skilled workplace discrimination lawyer can help you optimize your compensation package.

Workplace discrimination cases involve various complex bureaucratic and legal steps, which can be time and resource consuming for both the plaintiff and defendant. Any workplace discrimination case starts when an employee notes any discriminatory behavior in the workplace, and therefore documents and reports such behavior.

Employers who receive reports of workplace discrimination should take adequate steps to address the situation and implement preventive measures to keep the incident from happening again. If the worker believes that the situation has not adequately been addressed during internal reporting and resolution, they may file a formal complaint with the relevant government agency.

After receiving a formal complaint, an agency may look into a case, determining whether discrimination has happened. They may try to reconcile or mediate the dispute between the employer and employee. If the conflict cannot be resolved, they may file a lawsuit or give the employee a Right-to-Sue notice. An employer may hire legal defense of their own to protect themselves against the consequences of a claim.

After this point, the situation may be solved through mediation or decided upon by a judge or jury upon trial. By understanding the general steps in a workplace discrimination case, employees can expect to protect their rights and interests.

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Discrimination Claim in California?

A: The amount of time you may have to file a workplace discrimination claim in California is dependent on the specific details of your case. If you are filing with the Civil Rights Department, the statute of limitations is typically one year from the date the incident of discrimination happened. After the agency provides you with a right-to-sue notice, you may go ahead and file a lawsuit against your employer.

Q: Can Independent Contractors File Workplace Discrimination Claims in California?

A: As a general rule, it is not possible for independent contractors to file workplace discrimination claims in California, as labor laws typically refer to employees, not independent contractors. If you have been misclassified as an independent contractor, however, you could still be able to file a claim under the state’s labor laws. A skilled attorney can go over the details of your case and help you understand your rights in this situation.

Q: What Compensation Can I Receive for Workplace Discrimination in California?

A: If you’re facing workplace discrimination in California, you may be able to recover compensation for punitive damage, legal fees, emotional distress, and loss of income and benefits. In some cases, other restorative actions may be taken, such as in order to be reinstated to your old job. By working with a workplace discrimination lawyer, you can understand your options for compensation.

Q: Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Workplace Discrimination Claim in California?

A: It is not required by law to have an attorney in order to file a workplace discrimination claim in California. However, working with skilled legal representation can make all the difference in your case. Attorney guidance can prepare you to file your claim adequately and on time, give you crucial legal knowledge, and negotiate or litigate fiercely to secure an optimal outcome.

Q: Are Small Employers Exempt from Discrimination Laws in California?

A: Whether small employers are exempt from discrimination laws in California is dependent on the details of the business, including the number of employees they have. Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, employers with five or more employees are subject to discrimination laws. By working with a skilled workplace discrimination attorney, you can understand your rights as they relate to your case.

If you are facing instances or allegations of workplace discrimination based on a protected characteristic, such as race, sexual orientation, country of origin, or pregnancy status, you do not have to navigate the situation alone. A skilled Costa Mesa workplace discrimination lawyer from California Employment Counsel, APC, is here for you during this challenging time. Together, we can build up your case to protect your rights and interests.

Contact us today to get started discussing your situation and exploring your options.