Civil Rights in the Workplace: Fighting Back Against Discrimination in California

The workplace should be a place of opportunity, growth, and fairness. Unfortunately, discrimination and harassment continue to impact employees across California. Whether it takes the form of unequal pay, being denied a promotion, harassment based on identity, or wrongful termination, these injustices violate the law and undermine the dignity of workers.

California has some of the strongest workplace protections in the country, giving employees powerful tools to fight back against discrimination. Understanding your rights under both federal and state law is the first step to protecting yourself and holding employers accountable.

What Workplace Discrimination Looks Like

Discrimination can take many forms, some overt and others subtle. Common examples include:

• Unequal Treatment: Being denied promotions, fair pay, or job opportunities because of race, gender, age, disability, or religion.
• Harassment: Offensive jokes, slurs, or hostile treatment that create a toxic work environment.
• Retaliation: Being punished, demoted, or terminated for reporting misconduct or asserting your rights.
• Wrongful Termination: Losing your job due to bias or after filing a complaint about unlawful practices.

These actions are not only harmful—they are illegal under both federal and California law.

Federal Protections for Employees

Several federal laws safeguard employees against workplace discrimination:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. It applies to hiring, pay, promotions, and workplace conditions.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities and prohibits discrimination against them.
• Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA): Protects workers 40 and older from discrimination in hiring, firing, and employment practices.
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): The federal agency that enforces these laws and investigates workplace complaints.

These laws provide a foundation of protection, but California goes even further.

California’s Stronger Protections

California workers enjoy additional rights that often exceed federal standards. The state recognizes a broader set of protected categories and covers more employers than federal law. Key protections include:

• Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA): One of the strongest anti-discrimination laws in the nation. It applies to employers with five or more employees and prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, age, marital status, and more.
• California Constitution: Guarantees equal protection under the law, reinforcing workplace fairness.
• Unruh Civil Rights Act: Ensures equal access to businesses and can apply in certain employment-related contexts.

These laws make California one of the most protective states for workers facing discrimination.

Steps Employees Should Take if They Experience Discrimination

If you believe your workplace rights have been violated, immediate action is critical:

1. Document Everything: Keep a detailed record of discriminatory actions, including dates, times, comments, and names of those involved.
2. Preserve Evidence: Save emails, texts, performance reviews, or other documents that support your claim.
3. Report Internally: Notify HR, a supervisor, or another designated contact within your company.
4. File a Complaint: Depending on the situation, you may file with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the EEOC.
5. Seek Legal Help Quickly: Strict deadlines apply to discrimination claims. A civil rights attorney can ensure your rights are protected and help you navigate the process.

Remedies Available to Victims

When workplace discrimination is proven, victims may be entitled to significant remedies, including:

• Back Pay: Compensation for lost wages and benefits.
• Reinstatement or Promotion: Restoring a lost job or correcting a denied advancement.
• Compensation for Emotional Distress: Recognizing the harm caused by a hostile or discriminatory workplace.
• Punitive Damages: Awarded in cases of intentional or egregious misconduct to punish wrongdoers.
• Attorney’s Fees and Costs: Ensuring victims can access justice without financial barriers.

These remedies aim not only to compensate employees but also to deter employers from engaging in unlawful conduct.

Role of a Civil Rights Attorney

Civil rights cases are complex, requiring both legal knowledge and strategic advocacy. A workplace discrimination lawyer can:

• Investigate the facts and gather key evidence.
• Determine whether to file in state or federal court.
• Represent employees in settlement negotiations or at trial.
• Pursue maximum compensation while holding employers accountable.
• Use litigation to push for policy changes within companies.

Having a skilled attorney by your side levels the playing field against powerful employers.

Why Workers Choose the Law Offices of Christian Contreras

The Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC has earned a reputation for excellence in civil rights litigation across California. Recognized by the Daily Journal as one of the state’s top boutique firms, the firm consistently achieves outstanding results for employees who have faced discrimination and harassment.

Christian Contreras is a seasoned trial lawyer who has secured multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements, including cases where employers initially refused to acknowledge wrongdoing. Beyond results, the firm is committed to amplifying the voices of workers, ensuring their stories are heard, and driving systemic change in workplaces statewide.

Conclusion: Protecting Workplace Rights

Workplace discrimination is not just unfair—it is unlawful. Employees in California have powerful rights under both federal and state law, and no one should suffer in silence.

If you or a loved one has experienced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation at work, it is time to take action. Protecting your rights begins with understanding them—and fighting back with experienced legal help.

Contact the Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC today for a confidential consultation. Our team will stand by your side and fight for the justice and fairness you deserve.