California law protects employees from discrimination based on many factors, including:
- Race, color, ancestry, and national origin
- Age
- Religion
- Sex
- Marital status
- Pregnancy
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity or expression
- Disabilities
- Medical conditions
- Genetic information
- Military or veteran status
- Criminal convictions
Unfortunately, employees across the Los Angeles area and State of California continually experience various forms of discrimination based on the above factors. Discrimination can manifest in different ways, including:
- Refusing to hire someone based on a protected factor
- Denying a promotion or pay increase
- Giving a less desirable assignment or transfer
- Allowing harassment based on protected factors
- Implementing a policy that affects a protected group in a different manner than others
- Refusing to make reasonable accommodations for an individual’s disability or religious beliefs
- Termination
It is important to note that harassment – commonly, sexual harassment – is a form of unlawful discrimination. Employers are also prohibited from retaliating against an employee for complaining of discrimination or harassment.
