Nobody should have to worry about being discriminated against in any way in the workplace. However, there are various types of discrimination that can happen to an employee. This type of behavior in the workplace creates a hostile work environment and it could have severe economic, emotional, and psychological impacts on a victim. At Rager & Yoon – Employment Lawyers, our Long Beach workplace discrimination attorneys are here to help victims seek compensation for what has happened to them.
Federal And State Laws Protect Workers From Discrimination
We can turn to two places to learn about what types of discrimination are illegal in the workplace. First, we want to look at federal protections. Turning to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), we can see that federal law prohibits a person from being discriminated against in the workplace due to the following:
- Age
- Disability
- Genetic Information
- Harassment
- National Origin
- Pregnancy
- Race/Color
- Religion
- Retaliation
- Sex
The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), shows us that state law mirrors federal law but also offers wider protections. The law in California also prohibits a person from being discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. State law also protects a person from facing discrimination based on their marital status.
There are various ways that a person can face discrimination in the workplace. This discrimination can start before a person even gets a job and is still an applicant. It is important to understand that discriminatory hiring practices (screening employees due to their “undesirable qualities”) are illegal. Other ways in which discrimination can affect an employee include:
- Job assignments
- Wages and benefits
- Firing and layoffs
- Disciplinary actions
- Promotions
- Performance reviews
- Fringe benefits
- Training opportunities
- And more
During the latest reporting year in the United States, the EEOC brought more than 72,000 total charges against employers in this country for discrimination. Unfortunately, this number has been declining for the last several years. However, that does not mean victims of discrimination in the workplace should allow employers to get away with what happened. At Rager & Yoon – Employment Lawyers, our workplace discrimination attorneys are dedicated to helping victims.
We understand that these cases often require extensive investigation because supervisors and employers will not readily admit their discriminatory practices. Working through the court system, our attorneys obtain the evidence necessary to prove you have been discriminated against.
Long Beach Workplace Discrimination Cases: Potential Forms Of Evidence
The evidence a Long Beach workplace discrimination lawyer may gather when building and presenting your case can vary depending on the circumstances. Examples of the types of evidence often presented in such cases include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Documentation: Documentation proving an employee has been the victim of workplace discrimination may take such forms as emails, phone messages (including text and audio messages), chat records, performance reviews, memos, company policies, and more.
- Testimony: Testimony from coworkers, former employees, supervisors, and even clients or customers may sometimes play a critical role in a workplace discrimination case.
- Statistics: Sometimes, a statistical analysis of an employer’s practices or past actions can help strengthen a workplace discrimination claim. For example, an analysis of an employer’s hiring patterns may reveal they typically reject applicants who belong to a certain protected group or possess certain protected characteristics.
Again, this is not an exhaustive list. Those who plan on filing workplace discrimination claims against their current or former employers should know they do not need to gather this type of evidence on their own. Odds are, they lack the resources and expertise necessary to do so anyway. Instead, a victim of workplace discrimination in Long Beach can hire a lawyer to investigate and collect evidence on their behalf.
How A Long Beach Workplace Discrimination Law Firm Helps
Remember, conducting a thorough investigation when you believe an employer has committed workplace discrimination is often important because an employer will not typically admit they have discriminated against a worker. For example, you might have been fired because your employer learned of your sexual orientation, but you’ve been told you were fired because of your on-the-job performance.
You can’t simply state “my employer is lying” when filing a claim. You need to cite old performance reviews, testimony from others, etc., to show that your employer was actually engaging in illegal discrimination when they terminated your employment.
Gathering essential evidence is just one way the experts at our Long Beach workplace discrimination law firm can help you improve your chances of winning your case. We can also:
- Review the details of your case closely to determine which specific laws have been broken
- Account for your various damages to determine what type of compensation you may deserve
- Handle all administrative tasks that the workplace discrimination claim process may involve, allowing you to focus on your other needs at this time
- If necessary, research your employer’s background to learn if they have a history of discrimination
Keep in mind that coordinating with a Long Beach workplace discrimination attorney to hold your employer account is not only beneficial to you. It may also benefit both current and future employees of the company. If your employer is forced to pay the price for breaking workplace discrimination laws, they will be less likely to break those laws again in the future.
Our Team Is Ready To Help You Today
If you or somebody you love has faced discrimination in the workplace, contact an attorney as soon as possible. At Rager & Yoon – Employment Lawyers, we are going to investigate your case and work to secure any compensation you may be entitled to. This can include:
- Recovery of any lost wages
- Court costs and legal fees
- Pain and suffering damages
- Possible punitive damages against the employer
- Possible reinstatement to your job (if applicable)
When you need a Long Beach workplace discrimination attorney, you can contact us by clicking here or calling us at 310-527-6994 for a free consultation.