San Ramon Gender Discrimination Lawyers

Gender Discrimination Attorneys in San Ramon

Discriminating against a worker or job applicant based on their gender is unlawful. Gender discrimination can occur across any aspect of employment, whether it is an employee’s job duties, wages or work environment. 

At Erlich Law Firm we are dedicated to standing up for employees who face gender discrimination in the workplace. Our San Ramon gender discrimination lawyers are equipped with the knowledge and experience necessary to hold employers accountable for their discriminatory practices.

What is Gender Discrimination?

The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) classifies gender as a protected characteristic, meaning that treating workers differently based on their gender or gender identity is unlawful. Transgender employees are also protected from gender discrimination.

Under the FEHA, making employment decisions based on gender stereotypes is not just unfair, but it is also illegal. Employers cannot use gender-based stereotypes to make assumptions about a worker’s qualifications and job performance.

Employers are barred from using an employee’s gender against them when making hiring decisions, determining pay and promotions, providing training or choosing to terminate employment. One-off comments or occasional teasing alone may not rise to the level of gender discrimination. However, such conduct can be considered discriminatory when it becomes severe and pervasive enough to result in a hostile work environment for an employee.

Gender Pay Disparities

Around 42 percent of women have reported experiencing gender discrimination of some kind at work, compared to 22 percent of men. One of the most common forms of gender discrimination is the pay disparities between women and men. Around a quarter of women claim they are paid less than men for doing the same job. The California Fair Pay Act and California Equal Pay Act aim to lessen the gender pay gap.

Gender discrimination extends to other aspects of employment, too. For example, although workplaces have made some progress, women are still underrepresented in corporate leadership positions. For every 100 men promoted to managerial roles at the end of 2021, there were 87 women promoted.

Types of Gender Discrimination

Gender discrimination has been widely reported in tech companies often known for their “bro” culture. News reports have detailed women experiencing harassment and discriminatory treatment in toxic workplaces, such as being passed over for important projects or labeled as incompetent based on their gender.

Discriminatory treatment is not just limited to tech companies. It can be found in any industry across all aspects of employment. San Ramon is home to a variety of employers in the fields of health care, educational services, manufacturing, retail and more. Here are some ways in which gender discrimination may occur in San Ramon workplaces:

• Subjecting female employees to unwanted sexual advances
• Paying women less than men even when they have similar qualifications, experience and job duties
• Forcing workers who do not present themselves in gender-normative ways to quit
• Harassing transgender employees
• Denying promotional opportunities to workers who identify as a particular gender
• Refusing to hire workers based on their gender

Filing a San Ramon Gender Discrimination Lawsuit

Being treated unfairly at work is unpleasant, but not all situations may legally qualify as gender discrimination. A skilled San Ramon gender discrimination lawyer can help you figure out whether you have grounds to take legal action against your employer.

Filing a gender discrimination lawsuit allows you to recover compensation for the discriminatory treatment you endured. At Erlich Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping workers recover damages for front and back pay, benefits, emotional distress and more. Taking legal action can also urge your employer to change their unlawful practices going forward.

Employees who experience gender discrimination at work have the right to report the misconduct to their supervisor or human resources. If your employer retaliates against you by firing you, cutting your pay or engaging in other adverse employment actions, you may also have a claim for retaliation. Erlich Law Firm can evaluate your situation and determine whether there are additional causes for legal action.

Deadline for Filing a Gender Discrimination Claim

California law gives San Ramon workers three years from the date of the alleged unlawful behavior to get a right-to-sue letter from the Department of Fair Employment and Housing. Upon obtaining the letter, employees have up to a year to bring a gender discrimination lawsuit against their employer. Consulting an experienced attorney ensures you are aware of the time limit for taking legal action and do not give up your right to pursue compensation.

Call for a Free Case Evaluation

If you have experienced gender discrimination in the workplace, you do not have to tolerate unwanted behavior. Our San Ramon gender discrimination lawyers can help you understand your rights and legal options. Erlich Law Firm is available to advise you on the possibility of recovering compensation through a gender discrimination lawsuit. Contact us today to learn more and arrange a free initial case evaluation.