Contra Costa Discrimination Attorneys

Employees within the state of California and in the Contra Costa area have a variety of federal and state laws that have been instituted in order to protect them from discrimination by their employer. Under California law employers must provide equal treatment for employees in regards to promotions, termination, and general employment aspects and equal opportunity for all potential applicants that are able to perform the essential job functions of the position.

An employer cannot discount or otherwise make an employee ineligible due to factors including:

• Race, color, national origin or ancestry
• Religion
• Physical or mental disability
• Medical condition
• Sex, pregnancy and childbirth, sexual orientation or gender
• Marital status
• Genetic characteristics
• Veteran status

California specifically has laws in place to protect against age discrimination. With the California Fair Employment and Housing Act an employer is specifically prohibited from discriminating against an employee that is forty years old or older. Proving that an employer has discriminated against an employee because of their age is often left up to circumstantial evidence due to the lack of a “smoking gun” and is often reliant on factors which include adverse employment action like termination or suspension or being viewed unfavorably while other similarly employees were put in a positive light. Additional direct evidence such as discriminatory statements made by a supervisor or statistical evidence can be used to back up an employee’s claim.

Employees with physical or mental impairments are protected by state and federal laws, and require their employer to make reasonable accommodations for them to work as long as the essential functions of the job they are performing can be done safely and efficiently. Depending on an individual’s particular condition and situation, these laws not only protect those traditionally thought of as disabled, but also include what are defined as invisible disabilities like HIV/AIDS, cancer, and learning difficulties.

If you are an employee who feels you have been discriminated against, it is vital that you speak with an attorney such as those with The Venardi Elam Firm who have specific experience with the complicated laws of California. Our attorneys are dedicated to protecting your rights and working hard to ensure that they are not violated. Please contact us to discuss your legal situation with an initial consultation so you can decide what the right course of action should be.