The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) makes it illegal for employers to fire you, deny you a promotion, refuse to hire you, or discriminate against you based on your perceived or actual sexual orientation.
If you have experienced employment discrimination in Los Angeles because of your actual or perceived sexual orientation, you may be eligible to bring a lawsuit against your employer. Consult with a Los Angeles employment discrimination lawyer from our law firm to learn more about your rights and options. Call Yadegar, Minoofar & Soleymani today at (310) 499-0140 to arrange a free case evaluation.
What is Sexual Orientation Discrimination?
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community face discrimination in the workplace and society at large. Sexual orientation discrimination occurs when an employee is treated differently or harassed at work because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation. This includes whether the employee is actually or perceived to be bisexual, homosexual, heterosexual, gay, lesbian, or straight.
The California Fair Employment and Housing Act makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate against an employee or potential employee because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation. Examples of prohibited conduct by an employer include:
- Refusing to employ
- Refusing to promote
- Firing
- Refusing to train
- Refusing to provide equal pay, equal conditions of employment, or equal benefits; and
- The assignment of inferior work duties
It is also illegal for employers in California to discriminate against an employee based on their gender identity or gender expression. Gender identity refers to whether the employee identifies as male or female, regardless of the gender they were assigned at birth. Gender expression means how the employee chooses to express their gender, i.e., the clothes they choose to wear or how they style their hair.
How Can a Los Angeles Employment Discrimination Lawyer Help?
Victims of sexual orientation discrimination often feel humiliated after the fact. However, they may not report the event to their human resources department or boss because they fear retaliation. They may also worry about getting fired and having no job to support themselves and their family.
Nevertheless, every employee has a right to a job free of discrimination or harassment and to feel validated at work, regardless of their sexual orientation. They also have the right to be heard despite their gender identity or expression.
When an employer chooses to ignore these rights, the victim has a right to compensation. Furthermore, they have the right to work with a Los Angeles discrimination attorney who will help them fight for their right to a workplace free from discrimination of any sort.
Who is Covered by The FEHA?
The FEHA applies to both public and private employers with at least five employees, as opposed to similar federal laws that only apply to employers with at least 15 employees. Any employee in California who has faced discrimination based on their sexual orientation is eligible to file a claim with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD).
Available remedies for a sexual orientation discrimination claim include:
- Back pay (past lost earnings)
- Front pay (future lost earnings)
- Reinstatement/Hiring
- Promotion
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Damages for emotional distress
- Punitive damages; and/or
- Attorney’s fees and court costs
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Contact Yadegar, Minoofar & Soleymani | Los Angeles Employment Discrimination Lawyers
If you have experienced employment discrimination in Los Angeles because of your sexual orientation, an experienced Los Angeles employment discrimination lawyer from our law firm can advocate for your rights in the workplace and obtain justice for you. Call Yadegar, Minoofar & Soleymani today at (310) 499-0140 or visit our contact page to arrange a free and confidential case evaluation.