Los Angeles Workplace Discrimination Lawyer

Workplace Discrimination Attorney In Los Angeles, CA

Everyone should be treated fairly in the workplace, but that is not the reality for every employee. If you have been discriminated against at work, you have the right to take legal action to recover any losses. For people in the Los Angeles area, the first step toward justice is reaching out to a knowledgeable and seasoned Los Angeles workplace discrimination lawyer.

About Esperanza Anderson

Esperanza Anderson is an experienced attorney who has defended both employers and employees in workplace discrimination disputes. She received her law education at Stanford and Georgetown, and her firm has an impressive winning record, having already secured over $15 million in damages for clients in Pasadena and elsewhere in Los Angeles County. Although this does not guarantee a specific outcome for you, it shows her tenacity in asserting her clients’ rights.

Ms. Anderson is sometimes underestimated by opposing legal counsel, but her warmth should not be mistaken for weakness. She works tirelessly for her clients, all of whom work directly with her rather than communicating through an assistant. She is also fluent in Spanish, so whether you speak English or Spanish, she has the skills and knowledge to represent you.

What Is Workplace Discrimination?

In 2024, the United States government’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received 88,531 official reports of workplace discrimination. Workplace discrimination is, in short, when an employer treats an employee unfavorably because of any protected characteristic. In California, the protected characteristics are defined in the Fair Employment and Housing Act of 1959, or FEHA. These characteristics, called classes, include the following:

• Gender, gender identity, sex, gender expression, and sexual orientation
• Race, color, and national origin
• Marital status and reproductive health choices
• Age, physical or mental disability, or health condition
• Veteran or military status

What Rights Do Workers Have in California?

In California, workers have the right to a workplace that is free from harassment or discrimination. These conditions are promised under FEHA. California employers with five or more employees must put their employees, both supervisors and non-supervisors, through sexual harassment education. This is a measure taken by the state to reduce the prevalence of sexual harassment in the workplace.

Furthermore, California employers who have five employees or more are required to provide employees with leave time to take care of family members who are suffering illness, injury, or other medical crises. This leave must be job-protected, meaning that the employer is not required to pay the absent employee, but the employee must be allowed to come back to work at the end of the leave. This is established in the California Family Rights Act, or CFRA.

What to Do If You Face Workplace Discrimination in Los Angeles

If you are experiencing discriminatory behavior at work, you can take legal action to recover any losses you have suffered. The following are some steps you can take at work to protect yourself and begin to build a case:

• Document all instances of discrimination. Whether the discrimination is an ongoing pattern of small behaviors or something bigger, it is important to document every instance you experience. Keep a record of dates, times, and any relevant written communication, including emails, text messages, or handwritten notes.
• Report the behavior to human resources. If your company has a human resources department, as most do, it is a good idea to go ahead and report the discriminatory behavior, even if you don’t think HR will take any action on your behalf. If you do take legal action against your employer, it is important to demonstrate that you attempted to address the problem through typical channels.
• Put everything in writing. If you have verbal conversations about the discriminatory behavior, make sure you write recap emails and send them to the coworkers involved in the conversation. This can establish a paper trail regarding the discrimination and your attempts to work through it.

Hire a Workplace Discrimination Lawyer

If you have suffered financial losses because of discrimination in the workplace, whether they be from wrongful termination, being passed over for a job for being in a protected class, or missing out on a raise, you could recover damages through legal action. The first thing you need to do is hire a workplace discrimination lawyer who can review the details of your case and explain the relevant workplace discrimination laws. That way, you can know where you stand from a legal perspective.

FAQs

How Can You Prove Workplace Discrimination?

It can be difficult to prove workplace discrimination, but you can improve the strength of your case by providing your attorney with all the documentation you may have. These might include:

• Job descriptions
• Written communications, like emails or text messages
• Statements from coworkers

Your attorney can let you know what they need to support your case.

What Court Handles Workplace Discrimination Trials in Los Angeles?

When you file a workplace discrimination case in Los Angeles, you’ll first go through the California Civil Rights Department to try to reach a resolution. If you cannot settle your case through that channel, it might move to the Los Angeles County Superior Court. There are a few different courthouse locations, but the main one is the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, located at 111 North Hill Street in Los Angeles.

How Much Does a Los Angeles Workplace Discrimination Attorney Cost?

The cost to hire an attorney for a workplace discrimination claim in Los Angeles can vary, depending on the complexity of the case and the rates and fee structures individual lawyers set for themselves. However, many attorneys who take on workplace discrimination cases use a contingency fee system. Rather than requiring a large upfront fee, these attorneys receive a percentage of any settlement they secure for their client.

What Is Pregnancy Discrimination?

According to California law, pregnancy discrimination occurs when an employer fires, demotes, or otherwise takes adverse action against an employee or a job candidate because of pregnancy. For example, if a less qualified candidate received a promotion over a more qualified candidate who was pregnant, that could be perceived as pregnancy discrimination.

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Call Us Today(626) 219-6773

Contact Esperanza Anderson Today

If you have suffered financial losses because of workplace discrimination, you do not have to accept the situation as it is. You can take legal action to recover damages and show your employer that discriminatory behavior won’t be tolerated. Contact Esperanza Anderson for a free consultation to discuss your case.