Protecting Those Who Have Been Discriminated Against in the Workplace
Employers who make employment decisions based on a person’s characteristics may be liable for discrimination. Too many employees are victims of employment violations disguised as cutbacks, layoffs and other excuses.
Do I Have a Discrimination Claim?
There are many kinds of discrimination based on protected characteristics under state and federal law. In California, for instance, the most common that give rise to legal claims are:
- Gender/sex at your place of employment
- Pregnancy issues
- Age
- Race/national origin
- Disability and failure to accommodate
- Religious discrimination
- Sexual orientation
- Marital status
At AMG, we have represented victims of discrimination across all of these categories and more. For example, we have represented African-Americans who were not promoted based on their race, women who were fired as soon as they told their employers they were pregnant, and older workers who were terminated because their employer considered them too old.
Our firm has been recognized for serving the interests of the LGBTQ community. We have spent 40 years advocating on behalf of LGBTQ rights. In one of our most historic victories, AMG successfully challenged the constitutionality of Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California.
What Is Sexual Orientation Discrimination?
Many state laws, including those of California and New York, prohibit employers from discriminating against employees based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Examples of violations include:
- Firing, not hiring or not promoting an individual because he or she is transgender, gay, lesbian or bisexual
- Firing an employee who has made a gender transition
- Not allowing an employee to use a restroom that corresponds to his or her gender identity
- Providing lower salary or denying health insurance benefits
- Using derogatory terms or remarks
AMG has a stellar record fighting for the rights of LGBTQ community members. Among our many substantial victories for victims of sexual orientation discrimination, some notable examples include a large prelitigation settlement on behalf of a gay male employee whose co-workers drew graphic images of genitalia in the workplace, and used demeaning anti-gay slurs, as well as on behalf of a homosexual employee coerced into having sexual intercourse with a supervisor.
What Is Racial Discrimination?
Race discrimination is differential treatment based on skin color or race. Examples of race discrimination include:
- Not being hired or not being promoted because of your race
- Termination due to your race, including termination after your employer makes racial comments about your racial group
- Bad performance reviews motivated by hostility to your race
- Negative comments about your racial group
We have obtained many high-figure settlements for victims of racial discrimination, including a substantial settlement on behalf of a group of employees who were subjected to racial slurs, demeaning comments, and comparatively unfavorable work conditions based on race.
What Is National Origin Discrimination?
National origin discrimination is differential treatment based on an individual’s country of origin in interviewing, hiring, hours pay, or any other aspect of employment. Evidence of a national origin discrimination claim can include something as simple as treating an employee or job applicant differently based on his or her accent.
It is also illegal for employers to discriminate against employees based on their citizenship or immigration status. Employers are prohibited from basing hiring, firing, promotion and recruitment decisions on an employee’s immigration status or whether he or she is a citizen, unless government contracts or regulations require a U.S. citizen for the position.
We have also obtained many high-figure settlements for victims of national origin and immigration status discrimination such as on behalf of a Filipino nurse and a group of Latino who were denied promotions because of their national origin, as well as a Vietnamese technology worker who was terminated for complaining about his co-worker’s derogatory comments about his Vietnamese heritage.
How Can We Help You?
We have a thorough understanding of the laws that govern these civil rights violations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Equal Pay Act (EPA), and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) as well as corresponding state statutes.
At Allred, Maroko & Goldberg, our attorneys are well-known to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and other state agencies. We are respected for our aggressive, yet honest, representation of clients in valid discrimination claims. We only take on cases where there has been a clear violation of employment or civil rights.
Contact Us to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
The criteria for pursuing a discrimination claim is complex and confusing. It involves filing deadlines and strict documentation procedures that must be observed at all times. Please speak with one of our attorneys before proceeding with your claim. Call our Los Angeles office at 323-302-4774 or our New York office at 212-202-2966 or contact us online.