The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the spark that ignited the fire bringing workplace discrimination in the United States to light. Before legal protections were put into place, commonly persecuted groups like African Americans and women often faced pork working conditions and dead-end positions with little hope of advancement. There was little recourse for hurtful and humiliating abuse based on their gender, skin color, sexuality, and other attributes. Since then, California has stayed at the front lines of protecting afflicted groups under workplace discrimination and employment laws. 

While things have changed, there are still numerous cases of workplace discrimination in the U.S. 90,558 charges of discrimination were resolved by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in 2018, and $505 million secured for the victims. The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) collected nearly $13 million in settlements for victims in 2017 and settled 888 cases. If you believe you were impacted by workplace discrimination, consult with an experienced workplace discrimination attorney to see if you have the opportunity to seek legal recourse.

What Is Workplace Discrimination?


Workplace Discrimination is legally defined by the biased or unfair treatment of a protected group or classification based on specific attributes like sex, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and age. Workplace discrimination can happen anywhere through the application process and hiring to termination. 

Federal Classifications

The most common types of workplace discrimination that are protected under Federal law include:

• Sex
• Race
• Religion
• Age
• Disability
• Sexual orientation

Other protected classes under both federal and state laws include:

• Veteran status
• Country of origin
• Gender expression/gender reassignment
• Immigration status
• Medical condition
• Failure to accommodate

Other protections specific to California:

• Genetic information
• Mental health disability
• Marital Status
• Political activities/affiliations
• AIDS/HIV
• Status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or assault

Specific cities may also have their own laws for protected classes, such as how weight and height are both protected classes in San Francisco. 

State-Specific Workplace Discrimination Laws In California

Along with the federal classifications, there are state-specific laws in California regarding workplace discrimination to be aware of. The main one to know is the Fair Employment and Housing Act of 1980, combining the Rumford Fair Housing Act of 1963 and the Fair Employment Act of 1959 to establish an organization and guaranteeing housing and employment rights for Californians. Protected classes have been expanded to include:

• Political affiliation
• Mental or medical disability
• Sexual orientation
• Status as a victim of domestic violence, assault, or stalking
• Military or veteran status
• Undergoing gender reassignment
• Gender identity and expression

Work With A Top California Workplace Discrimination Attorney Today

Workplace discrimination can feel scary and isolating, but you don’t have to go through this difficult time on your own. Consult with an experienced California workplace discrimination attorney to establish what next steps are best for your situation and to get the optimal outcome for your case. We work on a contingency fee basis, so we don’t get paid unless you win. Call the Law Office of Ball & Yorke in Ventura, California to speak with a top California workplace discrimination lawyer about your case today.