Palo Alto Discrimination Lawyer
Employees in Palo Alto are protected from discrimination at the hands of their employers. Federal law and state law provide remedies to employees who are discriminated against based on their membership in a protected group. Although discrimination is illegal, many employers still engage in business practices that violate employment laws. Researchers indicate that discrimination based on sex and gender, pregnancy, age, and race, are all still disturbingly common in California and throughout the nation.
If you believe that your employer discriminated against you in your place of work, contact the Costanzo Law Office to speak to a dedicated employment law attorney. Our Palo Alto discrimination lawyers fight to protect the rights of workers in California. Call us today at 408-993-8493 to discuss your legal options and to learn more about how we can help you.
Categories of Workers Protected From Discrimination
California law designates numerous factors upon which employers may not make important employment-related decisions. Those categories include the following:
- sex
- gender
- age
- disability
- religion
- ethnicity
- country of origin
- race or color
- gender identity
- sexual orientation
- marital status
- pregnancy
- genetic information
- medical condition
- military/veteran status
Federal law also prohibits discrimination based on many of these factors, but in general, California law expands protections to additional groups of individuals. Employers who discriminate against workers in California can face serious consequences. If you believe that you have been discriminated against at your place of work or by a potential employer, you need to speak to a Palo Alto, California, employment law attorney to discuss your legal options.
What Is Discrimination?
Illegal discrimination occurs whenever an employer makes an important employment-related decision based on a protected factor. For instance, if an employer refuses to hire an individual based on their race, that will be considered a form of unlawful discrimination. Likewise, terminating an individual because of her pregnancy is an illegal form of discrimination. Important employment-related decisions are those that have to do with hiring, firing, promotions, workplace discipline, wages or salary, job-related duties, dress codes, bonuses, and many other issues. To learn more about your options for protecting yourself following employment discrimination, speak to an experienced Palo Alto, California, employment law attorney today.
Wrongful Termination in Palo Alto
Wrongful termination takes place when an employer fires an individual for a reason that is prohibited by law. In California, the majority of workers are considered “at-will” employees. Generally, employers are able to terminate the employment of “at-will” employees at any point in time without providing the employee with an explanation. There are exceptions, however, for employers who terminate employees in a discriminatory fashion. There are also cases where an employer will terminate a person’s employment in violation of contracts. In situations where employers terminate a person’s employment based on a discriminatory reason, the employer will often attempt to disguise the discrimination by providing a false reason for the decision to end the employment relationship with the employee. It is sometimes possible to expose the employer’s false pretense for terminating an employee’s position. Contact a Palo Alto, California, employment attorney if you believe that your employer wrongfully terminated you.
How to File a Discrimination Claim
A claim for discrimination requires that you first notify either the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in the case of federal claims or the Department of Fair Employment and Housing in the case of California claims. In each of these situations, you must receive a right to sue letter from the agency before filing a lawsuit against your employer. In some cases, employees may wish to pursue a federal claim, but oftentimes California law will offer more opportunities to file claims. For example, California protects a wider class of individuals. Federal law also provides certain defenses for corporations who are accused of discrimination that are not available under California law. California law also includes smaller businesses that are not covered by federal statutes. To learn more about the process of filing a claim for discrimination against your employer, contact an experienced Palo Alto, California, employment law attorney.
Retaliation in Palo Alto Discrimination Claims
Filing a claim against an employer for discrimination may seem intimidating. Many employees fear that their employer will retaliate against them for bringing a claim for discrimination. Employers are legally prohibited from retaliating against an employee who brings a claim against that employer. The law recognizes the fact that employees may not feel capable of challenging their employers if they fear that they will lose their job as a result or even put their future career and their field in jeopardy. Speak to a Palo Alto, California, employment law attorney to learn how the law protects you from retaliation at the hands of your employer.
Call Costanzo Law Office Today for Help With an Employment Discrimination Claim in Palo Alto
At Costanzo Law Firm, our attorneys focus on protecting the rights of Palo Alto workers. We understand how frightening it can be to challenge an employer. Hiring an attorney can help to put you on an equal footing and ensure the protection of your rights as a worker. Call us today at 408-993-8493 to learn more about how we can help you protect your rights.
