Encino Discrimination Attorneys
When your company hires employees, there are many legal concerns and compliance requirements. Both federal and state laws regulate employer responsibilities and employee rights in California, and companies can face serious liability if they fail to comply with all relevant laws. One common issue that employers face in the Encino area is ensuring compliance with anti-discrimination employment laws and defending against employee allegations of various types of discrimination.
At the law office of Kaufman McAndrew LLP, we help Encino employers prevent unlawful discrimination in the workplace, as well as respond to complaints of discrimination. We can help limit your losses and liability, as well as maintain your company’s reputation. Contact our office for more information.
Types of Unlawful Employment Discrimination
Unlawful discrimination occurs when an employer treats one or more employees unfairly based on a certain trait or characteristic. The law protects employees from discrimination based on several factors, including:
- Sex and gender
- Sexual orientation
- Gender expression and identity
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Marital status
- Race and color
- Natural hairstyle
- Ethnicity and national origin
- Religion and creed
- Mental or physical disabilities
- Medical conditions
- Genetic information
- Age (for employees older than 40)
- Military and veteran status
Employers are prohibited from basing employment decisions - such as job offerings, transfers, hours, pay increases, or termination - on any of these factors.
In addition, employers might face allegations of one or more of the following as related to discriminatory practices:
- Harassment, including sexual harassment, by supervisors, coworkers, or others at work
- Retaliation after an employee complains of harassment or discrimination
- Wrongful termination if an employee alleges they were fired for discriminatory reasons
If you lose an employment discrimination claim, your company can face penalties from state or federal agencies, as well as liability to the employee who claims they experienced unlawful discrimination at your company.
Employer Responsibilities
It is important for employers to provide the required anti-discrimination training to their workforces as required by California law. Your company should have clear and strict policies against workplace discrimination, and you should inform all of your employees of these policies on a regular basis.
If an employee complains of possible discrimination or harassment, you should take the necessary steps to investigate the claims and stop any further misconduct. This can involve disciplining or terminating the discriminatory individual, or other measures that are sufficient to avoid future discrimination and provide relief for the complaining employee.
Sometimes, an employee will go straight to the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) with their complaint. It is essential to have legal representation to properly defend against the claims and liability that can be costly - both monetarily and impacting your company’s reputation.
Contact Our Encino Discrimination Lawyers for Assistance
It is only natural for employers to have concerns about possible discrimination claims, and there are steps you can take to protect your company and your employees. The Encino discrimination attorneys at Kaufman McAndrew LLP are ready to help, so please call 818-788-5767 or contact us online today.