The state of California is one of the most liberal states in the country with respect to protecting employee rights in the workplace. In this regard, the failure to comply with state laws puts employers at risk of being sued in civil court and/or being the subject of investigations based upon employee administrative complaints submitted to state and/or local government agencies.
The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) is the California law that protects employees from illegal discrimination and harassment in employment on the basis of age (40 years or older), marital status, gender (including gender expression and identity), medical condition, race, sex, sexual orientation, skin color, religion, and other protected characteristics.
In addition to ensuring that they do not allow discrimination and harassment of employees on the basis of the above characteristics as defined by the FEHA, employers are also required to comply with some of the following requirements:
• Provide reasonable accommodations. Under the FEHA, employers are required to accommodate an employee or job applicant with respect to religious observances, clothing, hair styles, or with respect to a reported disability.
• Provide leave for up to 4 months to employees who are dealing with pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition.
• Provide employees with up to 12 weeks leave within any 12-month period to give birth to a child, to take care of their own serious health condition, or to take care of their sick parent, spouse, or child as defined by the California Family Rights Act (CFRA).
Strict compliance with the above California laws provide employees with the rights they are entitled to under the law. However, if an employee is deprived of the abovementioned rights, then he or she is entitled to file a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) and thereafter file a civil lawsuit with the assistance of a qualified Los Angeles employment discrimination lawyer.
The Law Offices of Jual F. Reyes is an experienced employment law firm representing the rights of employees with respect to workplace discrimination. If you feel that you have been discriminated against and/or denied a protected right at your workplace, call the firm today at (877) 242-4410.