Los Angeles Gender Discrimination Lawyer

Gender Discrimination Claims in Los Angeles, CA

Similar to other forms of discrimination, gender-based discrimination is prohibited in all aspects of employment in California. State and federal law prohibits employment discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression, and employers that engage in gender-based discrimination deserve to be held accountable. If you believe that you may have a claim, you should take action, and this starts with hiring a Los Angeles gender discrimination lawyer.

Do I Have a Claim for Gender Discrimination in Los Angeles?

In California, several laws protect job applicants and employees against gender discrimination. When companies violate these laws, affected individuals can file claims to recover financial compensation, secure job placement or reinstatement, affect change within the organization, or obtain other remedies.

The two primary laws that prohibit gender discrimination in employment are Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). While Title VII does not specifically reference gender, federal courts have ruled that Title VII’s prohibitions against sex-based discrimination also prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression. Under FEHA, it is expressly illegal for covered employers to engage in discrimination based on “gender, gender identity, [or] gender expression,” among other protected characteristics.

In cases involving unequal compensation, California’s Equal Pay Act and Fair Pay Act may apply as well. Similar to FEHA, these laws prohibit most employers in California from discriminating based on employees’ gender, gender identity or gender expression. If an employer compensates employees differently for “substantially similar work, when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility, and performed under similar working conditions,” this will give rise to a gender discrimination claim in many cases.

Along with providing unequal compensation for substantially similar work, other forms of gender-based discrimination in employment include for sake of example:

Refusal to hire you
Refusal to offer you a desirable position or job opportunity
Getting passed over for a promotion or pay raise
Being denied job-related benefits or rights (i.e., job-protected leave)
Being denied reinstatement after taking job-protected leave
Being forced or pressured to quit
Experiencing harassment or a hostile work environment
Experiencing retaliation after reporting gender discrimination
Wrongful termination

If you feel that you have received unequal treatment based on your gender, gender identity or gender expression for any reason, we strongly encourage you to speak with a Los Angeles gender discrimination lawyer at Attorneys for Employees in confidence.

How Do I File a Gender Discrimination Claim in Los Angeles?

Under both California law and Title VII, employees must generally pursue administrative remedies before they can sue their employers (or prospective employers) for gender discrimination in court. For claims under California law, this involves filing with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD). While the CRD provides an overview of the complaint process online, we strongly recommend that all employees seek advice from a Los Angeles discrimination lawyer. Navigating the complaint process is not easy, and you need to make informed decisions about how to pursue your claim (including what remedies to seek). An experienced lawyer will be able to deal with the CRD on your behalf and advise you every step of the way.

Likewise, when pursuing claims for gender discrimination under Title VII, employees must typically start by filing with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Here too, it is important to have experienced legal representation. At Attorneys for Employees, we regularly represent individuals before the CRD and EEOC, and we can use our experience to assert your legal rights effectively.

In many cases, CRD and EEOC complaints will lead to settlement negotiations. As a victim of gender discrimination in Los Angeles, you can choose to settle your claim at any time. If you are interested in a settlement, our lawyers can negotiate on your behalf, and we can help you decide when (and if) to resolve your claim by agreement.

If your claim doesn’t settle, you may need to take your case to a hearing, and if this does not provide a satisfactory outcome, you may need to go to court. While this adds time to the process, it is extremely important to fully assert your legal rights as a victim of gender discrimination. Our lawyers are here for you, and you can expect us to be by your side throughout the process.

What Are the Remedies for Gender Discrimination Under California Law?

If you have a claim under FEHA or California’s Equal Pay Act or Fair Pay Act, a Los Angeles gender discrimination lawyer at Attorneys for Employees may be able to pursue a variety of remedies on your behalf. The same is true if you have a federal gender discrimination claim under Title VII. Broadly speaking, the remedies that are available in California employment discrimination cases include:

Recovery of financial losses (including back pay, front pay, benefits, and out-of-pocket costs)
Recovery of attorney’s fees and legal costs
Hiring, promotion, or reinstatement
Employer training or policy changes
Injunctive relief prohibiting gender-based discrimination
Emotional distress damages
Punitive damages (in cases involving willful or malicious discrimination)

As a victim of gender discrimination in the job market or the workplace, you can choose which remedies to seek in your case. While you may be interested in placement or reinstatement, it would also be understandable if you did not want to go back to a company that violated your rights or subjected you to harassment. If you aren’t sure which option makes the most sense, our lawyers can advise and guide you in making well-informed decisions as you move forward.

Schedule an Appointment with a Los Angeles Gender Discrimination Lawyer

Regardless of the circumstances involved, there is no excuse for gender discrimination in employment. If you would like to discuss your legal rights with an experienced Los Angeles gender discrimination lawyer, contact Attorneys for Employees today. To schedule a confidential initial consultation at your convenience, please call 310-601-1330 or tell us how we can contact you online today.