Are You Facing Discrimination at Work? Call Our Workplace Discrimination Lawyers Los Angeles
Though workplaces have made major strides over the decades in terms of diversity within occupations and allowing more and more people to enter the workforce, many forms of discrimination still occur regularly. A few examples are:
- A woman getting laid off for being pregnant
- An older employee having their hours and wages reduced in favor of younger workers
- Employees getting denied a promotion based on their sexual orientation
These and other examples of discrimination have various federal laws in place to protect workers. If you are in a situation where you believe you were the victim of workplace discrimination, plan to meet with an employment attorney in Los Angeles at Mann & Elias to learn more about how federal anti-discrimination laws may help your case.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Landmark legislation, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibits employers from discriminating against employees and applicants based on the person’s age, gender, race, religion, and national origin. In addition, it also prohibits retaliation by employers against employees or applicants who pursue actions against them. Whether it is decisions regarding hiring, firing, promotions, compensation, or disciplinary actions, Title VII is in place to protect the rights of workers and job applicants. Should you believe, your civil rights were violated in the workplace, seek advice from a Los Angeles workplace discrimination lawyer.
Pregnancy Discrimination Act
If you thought pregnancy discrimination was a thing of the past, think again. Unfortunately, many women are fired from jobs or demoted into lesser positions simply because they expect a baby. To keep this from happening, the federal government passed the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. While protecting against discrimination based on pregnancy, it also does not allow employers to force pregnant employees from taking leave time when they are still capable of doing their regular jobs. Enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the EEOC gets many complaints concerning this type of discrimination each year. Whether you are already working at a business or believe your pregnancy denied you the chance to be fairly considered for a job, contact the workers’ rights attorneys Los Angeles residents look to for support in these matters.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act
While you may not think 40 years old puts you over the hill in the workplace, the fact is many employees and applicants who are 40 or older are discriminated against by employers. The ADEA protects against illegal, discriminatory practices regarding hiring, promotions, compensation, and other related areas. If you suspect an employer discriminated against you due to your age, take immediate action by contacting an attorney after experiencing discrimination at work.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Whether it is a physical disability or a cognitive one, many employers try to do all they can to keep people with disabilities from working at their companies. Thankfully, the government passed the Americans with Disabilities Act to keep this from occurring. However, this legislation goes far beyond helping just those who have a disability. The ADA also protects individuals who have a history of disability and applicants and workers who are incorrectly perceived to have a disability. For example, an employer may assume that just because an applicant walks with a limp, they are disabled when they are not. The ADA has been viewed as being a very effective law protecting individuals from discrimination. Contact a LA workers’ rights lawyer at Mann & Elias if you believe the ADA may apply to your situation.
Equal Pay Act
No matter who performs a job within a business or organization, they deserve to be paid just as much as another person performing the same job. Many employers may not see it that way. To make sure workplace practices regarding the payment of workers are fair, the government created the Equal Pay Act to ensure men and women are paid equally for doing the same jobs. However, it is important to remember the Equal Pay Act does have some exceptions. For example, an employer may be allowed to pay men and women different salaries for equal work if the pay difference itself is based on legitimate areas such as seniority, an incentive system, merit, or other related areas. All employers, both private and government, are required to comply with the Equal Pay Act. If you think you are being paid less for no justifiable reason, discuss your concerns with a skilled attorney.
Immigration Reform and Control Act
While many pieces of workplace discrimination legislation focus on age, disabilities, and other areas, the Immigration Reform and Control Act prohibits employers from discriminating against others based on their national origin or citizenship. Also, the IRCA makes it illegal for employers to knowingly hire or keep workers who are not legally authorized to work in the United States. If violations are suspected, they are investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice and other agencies. Should you feel your citizenship status cost you a job, do not sit back and do nothing. Instead, speak to LA minority discrimination lawyers.
Along with these pieces of legislation, the 2008 law known as the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act makes it illegal for employers to base employment decisions on a person’s genetic information. However, since employers who discriminate regularly are quite skilled in hiding their techniques, you will need a skilled attorney to help you win your case. No matter what type of discrimination you believe has been levied at you, hold an employer accountable by scheduling a consultation with an attorney for experiencing discrimination at work at Mann & Elias.