Unfortunately, racism is still a part of American society. It still poisons some workplaces. If you feel that you were not hired or promoted, or fired because of your race, then you may have a cause of action against your employer.Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law that gives you protection. Additionally, the Fair Employment and Housing Act creates a State cause of action for employees. Are you facing racial discrimination in the workplace? Consider speaking to our Los Angeles racial discrimination lawyers about your specific situation.

How Do I Prove Racial Discrimination in the Workplace?

To support a case, the plaintiff will have the burden of proving either direct impact or a disparate impact. Direct impact means you were not hired or promoted because of your race. You possessed the qualifications for the position, and the person hired was less qualified than you. Disparate treatment means that a rule or policy has a negative effect upon you, although it does not have any racist language.

You have rights under both federal and state law. Because of this, you should first file a claim with the Fair Employment and Housing Agency in California, or The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. You have a relatively short period in which to file your case. And, you cannot start a lawsuit until you file a formal complaint with either Agency.

You will have to prove a cause of action (case) by proving that your race was the reason you were denied employment or promotion. The employer can rebut that claim by showing there were legitimate business reasons for that decision, and that will support a motion of summary judgment for the Defendant in Federal Court unless you can prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the business reasons were pretextual and racism was the real motive.

Disparate impact cases are harder to prove and require more statistical evidence, research, and perhaps expert witnesses to build your case.

What is Racial Discrimination in the Workplace in California?

Racial discrimination in the workplace in California is defined as any adverse employment action or harassment that is based on an employee’s actual or perceived race or ethnicity. Racial discrimination is prohibited by state and federal laws, including the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Examples of racial discrimination in the workplace can include:

Hiring, firing or promoting employees based on their race or ethnicity
Providing different terms or conditions of employment based on race or ethnicity
Making derogatory or offensive comments about an employee’s race or ethnicity
Creating a hostile work environment based on an employee’s race or ethnicity
Segregating employees based on race or ethnicity

If you believe you have been the victim of racial discrimination in the workplace in California, you may have legal options available to you. But it is important to note that not all unfair treatment in the workplace is considered illegal discrimination. Contact an experienced discrimination lawyer in Los Angeles can help you understand your rights and options.

What is Racial Harassment?

This includes making gestures, written comments and verbal comments about an employee’s clothing, hair, speech, etc. Harassment is unlawful if it is based on race and it has created a hostile and unwelcoming work environment. If you are facing racial harassment at work, consider speaking to our Los Angeles race discrimination attorneys about your situation.

Generally, it is difficult to objectively evaluate these types of comments. Because of this, the court often decides harassment cases based on the context of the actions and the statistics on instances v. race within the company. The plaintiff must make it clear that the harassment was a result of race and not of personal differences.

It is also important that the employee has made it clear that the comments and actions of others have been bothering them and they wish it to stop. This includes reporting the harassment to a supervisor or HR. Employers must take all reasonable actions to prevent harassment in the workplace. Even if the comments are infrequent, they can still have a damaging effect on employees. If the harassment continues even after the employee has discussed it with a supervisor, the complainant will have a stronger case based on the fact that they approached both the violator as well as the supervisor about the harassment.

Can I Be Fired for Reporting Racial Discrimination?

California has various protections in place to prevent employer retaliation, which means you cannot be legally fired for reporting racial discrimination. Here are some key protections to consider:

California has strong anti-discrimination laws: The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits racial discrimination in the workplace.

Protection against retaliation: FEHA also protects employees from retaliation for reporting discrimination or harassment. This means your employer cannot fire you, demote you, or take any adverse action against you for making a good faith complaint about racial discrimination.

If your employer retaliates against you:

Document everything: Keep records of any incidents of racial discrimination, as well as any communications related to your complaint. This can serve as evidence in case you need to take legal action.

Consult an employment lawyer: It is highly advisable to seek the advice of an employment lawyer who is familiar with California labor laws. They can provide you with specific guidance based on your situation.

File a complaint with the appropriate agency: You can file a complaint with the state’s Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) if you believe you have been a victim of discrimination and/or fired for reporting it.

Consider legal action: Depending on the circumstances, you may have grounds to pursue legal action against your employer for wrongful termination or retaliation. Your lawyer can guide you on the best course of action.

How To Prove Racial Discrimination at Work?

In a racial discrimination case, you typically need to establish the following to hold an employer responsible:

Protected Characteristic: You must show that you experienced discrimination based on your race, color, ethnicity, or national origin.

Adverse Employment Action: Proof that you suffered some form of adverse employment action. This could be anything from being denied a promotion, being terminated, receiving a demotion, or experiencing a hostile work environment.

Causal Connection: You must establish a causal connection between your protected characteristic and the adverse employment action. This means demonstrating that the discrimination was a significant factor in the employer’s decision.

Comparable Treatment: It can be beneficial to show that other employees who were not part of your racial or ethnic group were treated more favorably in similar circumstances. This helps illustrate that the disparate treatment is based on race.

Company Knowledge or Negligence: If you’re pursuing a claim against your employer, you need to demonstrate that the employer knew or should have known about the discrimination and failed to take appropriate corrective action.

Good Faith Reporting (if applicable): If you reported the discrimination, you should show that you did so in good faith and followed any internal reporting procedures as required by the company.

Gather as much evidence as possible to support your claim. For example:

Documentation on Incidents: A detailed record of any incidents of racial discrimination is critical. Include dates, times, locations, people involved, and descriptions of what happened.

Witness Statement: If there were any witnesses to the discriminatory behavior, try to gather their contact information. They may be able to provide testimony to support your case.

Relevant Communications: Keep emails, text messages, or any other written communication that may be related to the discrimination.

Record of Following Company Procedures: Paper trail of you following your company’s specific procedures for reporting discrimination. This demonstrates that you acted in good faith because you gave your employer an opportunity to address the issue.

Documentation on Retaliation: If you report discrimination and experience any form of retaliation (such as being fired, demoted, or facing a hostile work environment), document these incidents as well.

Gather any Other Supporting Evidence: This could include performance evaluations, promotions, or any other relevant documents that may help demonstrate a pattern of discriminatory behavior.

California Statute of Limitations for Racial Discrimination Cases

The time limit for filing a racial discrimination claim can vary depending on which agency you file with:

CRD

You typically have three years from the date of the alleged racial discrimination to file a complaint with the Civil Rights Department (CRD).

EEOC

You generally have 300 days from the date of the alleged discriminatory act to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Lawsuit Statute of Limitations

If you receive a right-to-sue notice from the EEOC or CRD, you also have a limited time to file a lawsuit if you choose to. If the notice comes from the EEOC, you have 90 days and if the notice comes from the CRD, you have up to one year.

How can a Los Angeles Race Discrimination Lawyer Help?

If you are a victim of racial discrimination in the workplace in California, an attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options and can advocate on your behalf to protect your interests. Here are some examples of how a Los Angeles race discrimination lawyer from our law firm can help:

Evaluating your claim: A lawyer from our law firm can evaluate your claim of racial discrimination and determine whether you have a valid case. We can review the evidence, interview witnesses, and assess the strength of your claim.
Filing a complaint or lawsuit: We can also help you file a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or we can file a lawsuit on your behalf in state or federal court.
Negotiating a settlement: We can negotiate a settlement with your employer or their insurance company to compensate you for your damages and resolve your case outside of court.
Representing you in court: If your case goes to trial, our attorneys can represent you in court and present your case to a judge or jury.
Protecting you from retaliation: We can help protect you from retaliation by your employer or coworkers as a result of your complaint or lawsuit.
Providing guidance and support: Our Los Angeles race discrimination lawyers can also provide you with guidance and support throughout the legal process, helping you understand your options and making sure your rights are protected.

When choosing an attorney to assist you, it is important to choose an Los Angeles employment attorney with experience in employment discrimination law and a track record of success in representing clients in similar cases. A qualified attorney can help you navigate the complex legal process and work to get you the compensation and justice you deserve. It should also be noted that there are strict time limits for filing a complaint with the appropriate government agency or lawsuit in court, so it is important to take action promptly.

Client Testimonials

“I would recommend them to anyone seeking not just representation, but a team that will truly fight for your rights and guide you every step of the way. This is a law firm that raises the bar for what it means to provide exceptional legal service.”

-Nick T.

“I cannot say enough about Navid Yadegar! Over the years we have worked with him many times and each time he has exceeded our expectations. He genuinely cares about his clients and his knowledge in his field is unmatched. Having him as your attorney is having peace of mind that you have the best! Thank you Navid!”

-Debbie E.

“Amazing firm that is robust and fair. Have helped me numerous times with employment matters as well as contractual concerns. All attorneys are ethical and easy to work with and always have my best interest in mind. Highly recommend.”

-Dan B.

Discuss Your Situation With Our Los Angeles Racial Discrimination Attorneys

You should consult our Los Angeles racial discrimination lawyers. We have a proven track record in employment discrimination suits.

Los Angeles Race Discrimination Attorney