Los Angeles Workplace Discrimination Lawyer
Our firm is dedicated to protecting employees who have faced workplace discrimination in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, and the San Fernando Valley. We handle cases involving race, gender, disability, age, and other forms of discrimination, ensuring your rights are upheld under California law. Let us help you take action against unfair treatment and restore your workplace dignity.
Imagine dedicating years to building your career, only to be constantly passed over for promotions, denied transfer opportunities, or excluded from professional development programs—while colleagues with less experience or qualifications move ahead. Or perhaps your employer’s policies and treatment make you feel singled out for how you look, your hairstyle, or a medical condition. Discrimination in the workplace is more than unfair; it’s a violation of your rights.
When the system fails you, Fraigun Law Group is here to fight back.
What is Workplace Discrimination?
Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee unfairly or unequally due to characteristics protected by law. It can take many forms, such as being denied a position, subjected to harassment, retaliated against, or unjustly terminated.
Workplace discrimination isn’t always obvious. It can be subtle or disguised as “company policy,” leaving employees feeling powerless to fight back. Marina Fraigun is dedicated to standing up for employees, cutting through the excuses, and ensuring that justice prevails.
Unfair Workplace Practices
Victims of workplace discrimination often face:
• Being denied promotions, raises, or transfers for discriminatory reasons.
• Harassment, bullying, or exclusion from team projects.
• Retaliation after filing complaints or raising concerns.
• Unequal pay for equal work.
• Denial of reasonable accommodations for medical conditions or religious practices.
• Discipline for behaviors tolerated in other employees.
Types of Workplace Discrimination
Racial Discrimination
Racial discrimination happens when an employee is treated unfairly due to their race or ethnicity. This could include racially charged comments, biased performance evaluations, or exclusion from opportunities. Employers may try to mask these actions, but patterns of bias are often evident through consistent treatment of minority employees.
Gender Discrimination
Gender bias often manifests in unequal pay, limited promotions, or a hostile work environment. Women, particularly women of color, are frequently underrepresented in leadership roles despite meeting or exceeding qualifications.
Age Discrimination
Older workers are often targeted with forced retirement or passed over for younger, less experienced candidates. This type of bias not only damages careers but often leaves older workers financially vulnerable.
Disability Discrimination
Employers are required by law to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities. Denying accommodations, overlooking qualified candidates due to a disability, or creating a hostile environment is a clear violation of employee rights.
Sexual Orientation Discrimination
Employees often face bias, harassment, or retaliation due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. This can range from inappropriate comments to outright termination.
Religious Discrimination
Failing to provide reasonable accommodations for religious practices—such as schedule flexibility for holidays or dress code exceptions—is a common way religious discrimination occurs in the workplace.
Pregnancy Discrimination
Discrimination against pregnant employees or those returning from maternity leave includes unjust firing, demotions, or denial of accommodations such as additional breaks or light-duty assignments.
Medical Condition Discrimination
Employers often overlook or dismiss employees with medical conditions, whether chronic illnesses or temporary injuries. Denying time off for treatments, passing over employees for promotions, or targeting them for layoffs can all constitute medical condition discrimination.
Hairstyle Discrimination
The CROWN Act protects employees in California from discrimination based on hairstyles commonly associated with race, such as locs, braids, and twists. Employers cannot enforce grooming policies that disproportionately affect employees of color.
Legal Protections for Employees in California
California offers some of the strongest legal protections against workplace discrimination:
• Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA): Protects employees from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on protected characteristics like race, gender, disability, and age.
• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Prevents employers from discriminating based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Requires reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.
• California Family Rights Act (CFRA): Protects employees taking leave for medical conditions or family responsibilities.
• CROWN Act: Ensures employees cannot be discriminated against for wearing natural hairstyles.
California also has strict laws prohibiting retaliation, ensuring that employees who report discrimination or harassment are protected from unfair treatment or termination. Employers found violating these laws can face substantial legal consequences.
What Qualifies as Workplace Discrimination?
Workplace discrimination takes many forms, including:
• Unfair hiring or firing practices, such as denying a job based on pregnancy or race.
• Unequal pay for the same job based on gender or other protected characteristics.
• Retaliation for reporting discrimination or harassment.
• Denying accommodations for disabilities or medical conditions.
For example, if an employee is denied a promotion despite being the most qualified candidate, and the decision appears tied to their race, age, or gender, this likely constitutes workplace discrimination. Patterns of behavior within an organization, such as consistently excluding minorities from leadership roles or penalizing individuals for wearing natural hairstyles, also demonstrate workplace discrimination.
How Do I Prove Workplace Discrimination?
Proving workplace discrimination requires thorough documentation and evidence. This includes:
• Written Communication: Emails, text messages, or memos showing bias or unequal treatment.
• Witness Testimony: Statements from coworkers who observed the discrimination.
• Performance Reviews: Records showing unfair evaluations or changes in treatment after raising concerns.
• Patterns of Behavior: Documented evidence of how the employer treats employees with similar characteristics.
Fraigun Law Group is highly skilled at gathering and presenting evidence effectively, ensuring it connects with judges, juries, and arbitrators to strengthen your case.
What to Do If You’re a Victim of Workplace Discrimination
If you believe you are experiencing workplace discrimination, it’s important to act quickly and strategically. Here’s what you can do:
1. Document Everything: Keep a detailed record of every discriminatory incident. Note the dates, times, locations, and names of anyone involved or who witnessed the behavior. Save relevant emails, texts, and performance reviews. These records can serve as critical evidence if you choose to pursue legal action.
2. Report the Behavior Internally: File a formal complaint with your company’s HR department or follow the steps outlined in your employee handbook. Even if you feel that HR may not act on your behalf, submitting a complaint is an important step in building your case.
3. Seek Support: Discrimination can take a toll on your mental health. Consider reaching out to a trusted friend, counselor, or support group to process your experience.
4. Contact Fraigun Law Group: Navigating workplace discrimination laws can be complex. Attorney Fraigun can assess your situation, explain your legal rights, and help you take action against your employer. Whether you need guidance on how to file a formal complaint or representation in court, Fraigun Law Group is here to provide unwavering support.
5. Don’t Wait: Time limits apply to filing workplace discrimination claims. Delaying action could mean losing the ability to hold your employer accountable. Call Fraigun Law Group as soon as possible to protect your rights.
FLG empowers you to take control of your situation, ensuring you’re no longer silenced or sidelined by unfair treatment.
Common Questions about Workplace Discrimination
When you’re facing workplace discrimination in Los Angeles, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure about your next steps. You might wonder if what you’re experiencing qualifies as discrimination, how to document your case, or whether it’s even worth pursuing legal action. These concerns are valid, and having the right information can make all the difference. At Fraigun Law Group, we know that discrimination doesn’t just affect your job—it affects your sense of dignity and security. Below, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions to help you better understand your rights and the steps you can take to protect them.
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CAN MY EMPLOYER FIRE ME IF I REPORT DISCRIMINATION?
No. Retaliation for reporting discrimination is strictly prohibited under California law. If your employer fires you, reduces your hours, or otherwise punishes you after you file a complaint, this is an additional violation. Marina Fraigun will ensure your rights are protected and hold your employer accountable for illegal retaliation.
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HOW CAN I PROVE MY EMPLOYER’S ACTIONS ARE DISCRIMINATORY?
Proof often requires a combination of evidence, such as patterns of unequal treatment, documented communication, and witness testimony. Fraigun Law Group helps clients build strong cases by identifying and compiling critical evidence.
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WHAT IF HR IGNORES MY COMPLAINT?
If HR fails to act, you still have options. You can escalate the issue by filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or pursue legal action with Marina’s guidance.
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CAN I BE FORCED TO QUIT TO AVOID RETALIATION?
No, and you should not feel pressured to leave your position. Marina will work to protect your rights and ensure your employer follows California’s anti-retaliation laws.
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HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO FILE A DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT?
Under California law, you generally have one year from the date of the discriminatory act to file a complaint. However, some exceptions or extensions may apply, depending on your case. Fraigun Law Group ensures deadlines are met to preserve your rights.
How Fraigun Law Group Can Help
Facing workplace discrimination can leave you feeling overwhelmed and powerless, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Fraigun Law Group stands as a champion for employees, committed to dismantling injustice and holding employers accountable. Marina Fraigun brings an unwavering focus to your case, transforming your frustrations into actionable legal strategies that deliver results.
With Marina, you’ll have a tenacious advocate who listens to your story, provides practical advice, and takes decisive action to protect your career and your future. From filing initial complaints to pursuing justice in court, Fraigun Law Group is with you every step of the way, ensuring your rights are upheld and your voice is heard.
When employers think they’re too powerful to answer for their actions, Fraigun Law Group reminds them that no one is above the law. Don’t let discrimination define your career—call today to take the first step toward justice. Together, we’ll make things right.