Workplace Discrimination in Walnut Creek
Understanding California Workplace Discrimination Laws
California protects workers against discrimination on the job. It is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an employee or applicant on the basis of several protected categories:
- Race or color discrimination
- Ethnicity or national origin
- Age discrimination
- Physical disability, including medical conditions
- Gender discrimination, including pregnancy or marital status
- Sexual orientation
If you believe that your workplace is treating unlawfully based on your status in any of these categories, please contact Walnut Creek discrimination attorney, Nancy Balles, A Professional Corporation.
What Constitutes Work Discrimination in Walnut Creek?
California anti-discrimination laws are often interpreted more broadly than federal laws that prohibit discrimination. This is particularly true in instances of sexual harassment or disability discrimination.
One aspect of the California laws that allows greater protection than the federal laws is that, in California, coworkers who are not supervisors may be sued and held personally responsible for unlawful workplace harassment. This civil protection afforded victims allows our law firm to help you seek justice exactly with the source of your issues.
State law differs on the issue of disability, too:
- The state law allows a broader definition of physical or mental disability and medical condition.
- The state law has no requirement for a substantial limitation on a major life activity—simply being limited is enough.
- Limitation is determined without mitigating measures.
Rules exist in California against language discrimination, discrimination in smaller workplaces, and discrimination against people with genetic disorders, too. This means that in Contra Costa County, you have more rights than what is granted by federal laws against discrimination.
