Gender Discrimination Lawyers

Gender discrimination can be very frustrating for anyone who is trying to succeed in the workplace. Not only can it hinder career advancement, but it can also lead to feelings of low self-esteem and depression. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), over 18,000 workplace complaints filed in 2021 involved allegations of gender or sex discrimination.

If you believe you are being discriminated against at work, there are things you can do to protect yourself. You can learn what types of actions constitute unlawful discrimination and file a complaint with the EEOC if you think you have experienced discrimination. The EEOC enforces the laws regarding equal opportunity in employment.

At Hershey Law, our team of Los Angeles gender discrimination lawyers has years of experience advocating for people who were treated unfairly at work because of their sex, gender, or gender expression. A gender discrimination lawyer can explain your rights under state and federal law and help you decide whether to pursue a harassment claim through the EEOC or bring a lawsuit to court. If you believe you were a victim of sexual harassment or sexual discrimination, contact us today for a free consultation.

Types of Gender Discrimination in the Workplace

Discrimination happens when someone treats another person unfairly because of his or her gender. It’s often based on stereotypes about men and women. Here are some examples of illegal forms of discrimination:

Sexual Harassment

The most common form of sexual harassment occurs when an employee is subjected to unwelcome sexual advances or comments, requests for sexual favors, or other conduct of a sexual nature. This could include touching without permission, asking inappropriate questions, or making sexual comments and jokes.

Pregnancy Discrimination

Pregnancy discrimination is when employers refuse to hire or promote pregnant workers or fail to provide them with reasonable accommodations. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

Wage Disparities

When men and women perform similar jobs but receive different paychecks, this can create a wage disparity. It also violates the Equal Pay Act of 1949, which requires that wages paid to male and female employees performing substantially similar work must be equal.

Sexual Orientation

Sexual orientation discrimination is when employers discriminate against LGBTQ individuals. An example of this would be refusing to give promotions or raises to a gay man or a transgender woman because of their sexuality (or gender identity).

While there are many forms of gender discrimination in the workplace, the bottom line is that any kind of bias towards a worker based on his or her sex – whether it stems from negative stereotyping, unfair hiring practices, unequal pay, or anything else – can make life difficult and is unlawful. That’s why it’s so important to take action when you or someone you know is faced with discrimination.

Laws Protecting Gender Discrimination in the Workforce in California

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits gender discrimination in employment. It protects against both sex discrimination in employment in general (such as not hiring, denial of promotion, demotion, and firing), and conditions of employment (like salary, training, seniority, and benefits).

The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) has its own rules for gender discrimination in the workplace. It makes it illegal for employers of 5 or more employees to fire employees due to their gender, ask candidates applying for a job if they are married, promote only men or only women, or do anything else discriminating against the employee’s gender.

The California Fair Pay Act prohibits pay disparities between men and women doing similar jobs. The employer may be liable for violating these laws if the employer knows about the difference in pay and does nothing to correct it.

California Statute of Limitations for Gender Discrimination Claims

• Under the FEHA, a plaintiff has three years after the alleged discriminatory act to bring a claim for gender discrimination.
• The Equal Pay Act gives the plaintiff two years to file a complaint. If the violation is willful, the statute of limitations is three years.
• A California employee seeking to file under Title VII must report claims to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission within 300 days of the alleged discrimination. Also, an employee should file a lawsuit under Title VII within 90 days of receiving notice from the EEOC that it could not resolve their case.

If you need help filing your gender discrimination complaint, contact one of our experienced employment law attorneys today. We offer free consultations in which we will evaluate your situation and advise you on how best to proceed.

Gender Discrimination Lawyer Near You

Employment discrimination lawsuits can take time to prepare and pursue. You should have a team by your side that is experienced in handling gender discrimination cases. At the law office of Hershey Law, P.C., we’ll give your case the attention and diligence it deserves.

Call us at (310) 929-2190 to schedule a confidential consultation.

We represent clients in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange County, and Ventura County.