Walnut Creek Gender Discrimination Lawyers

Gender Discrimination Attorney in Walnut Creek

Gender discrimination occurs when an employee or job applicant is mistreated based on gender. The adverse treatment affects the terms and conditions of the worker’s job, such as salary or work hours.

Erlich Law Firm is committed to fighting gender discrimination across all workplaces. Our Walnut Creek gender discrimination lawyers are available to help workers recover just compensation for unlawful treatment at the hands of their employers.

Understanding Workplace Gender Discrimination

Around 42 percent of women employees in the United States have experienced some form of gender discrimination in the workplace, according to the Pew Research Center. This includes being viewed as incompetent or being passed over for important assignments based on their gender, among other unfair treatment.

Walnut Creek employees are protected from gender discrimination under federal and state laws. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) classifies gender as a protected characteristic. This means treating workers unfavorably based on their gender is unlawful. Transgender workers are also protected from gender identity and gender expression discrimination under the law.

Additionally, the FEHA also makes it illegal for employers to take adverse employment actions against workers based on stereotypes related to gender. Gender-based stereotypes can involve generalizations about male and female employees’ qualifications, productivity, and job performance.

What are Some Common Types of Gender Discrimination?

One of the most common forms of workplace gender discrimination is pay disparities between men and women. The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) found that large employers in the state continue to pay women employees less than their male counterparts. In 2020 around two-thirds of workers in the highest salary range were men, while only a third were women.

Paying workers of the opposite sex different salaries for the same work is unlawful. The California Equal Pay Act and California Fair Pay Act aim to reduce pay disparities between genders.

Tech companies are also often in the news for gender discrimination. Women employees are harassed or mistreated while enduring a toxic work environment perpetuating a so-called “bro” culture.

Gender discrimination can occur across all aspects of employment. Some examples include job interviews, promotion opportunities, training, and daily interactions between coworkers and management. Here are some other ways in which gender discrimination may take place in Walnut Creek workplaces:

• Wrongfully terminating a worker based on their gender
• Refusing to hire an employee who identifies as a particular gender
• Paying female workers less than male workers who have similar job duties and experience
• Giving certain employees lower-paying positions because of their gender
• Forcing transgender workers to quit
• Insulting employees or calling them derogatory names because of their gender
• Holding workers to different standards based on their gender
• Denying raises or promotions to workers of a specific gender
• Harassing employees who do not present themselves in a gender-normative way
• Pressuring female workers for sexual favors or making unwelcome sexual advances

Isolated comments, while unpleasant, may not meet the legal threshold for discrimination. However, severe and pervasive negative behavior may be considered gender discrimination if it creates a hostile work environment for an employee. A knowledgeable Walnut Creek gender discrimination lawyer can help you determine whether you have grounds for a claim against your employer.

Filing a Gender Discrimination Lawsuit

Employees have the right to file a gender discrimination lawsuit to recover compensation when a Walnut Creek employer engages in discriminatory conduct. Filing a lawsuit allows you to hold your employer accountable for the gender discrimination you endured and encourage them to change their practices for the benefit of future employees.

Workers also have the right to report workplace discrimination to their supervisor or human resources without fear of retaliation. If your employer fires you in retaliation for complaining about discrimination, you may have a claim for wrongful termination or retaliation.

Erlich Law Firm can help you understand your legal options. Our Walnut Creek gender discrimination lawyers are experienced in assisting workers to obtain damages for back pay, front pay, benefits, emotional distress, and other costs. We will help you gather evidence, handle paperwork, and keep you updated throughout the legal process.

Time Limit for Bringing a Gender Discrimination Claim

Under California law, Walnut Creek employees have three years from the date of the alleged unlawful conduct to obtain a right-to-sue letter from the DFEH. After receiving the letter, they have one year to file a gender discrimination lawsuit against their employer. An experienced lawyer can help ensure you do not miss any critical deadlines for taking legal action.

Call for a Free Case Evaluation

All workers have the right to a workplace that is free from discrimination. If you have experienced gender discrimination on the job, our Walnut Creek gender discrimination lawyers are here to help you recover fair compensation. Contact Erlich Law Firm today to learn more.