employee-discriminationSex discrimination is one of the most prevalent issues in the realm of employment. It involves preferential treatment favoring the male or female sex. The most common example of such discrimination is an employer’s preference of male employees over their female counterparts in various aspects of employment.

Fortunately for employees and applicants, they are able to exercise their rights through prevailing laws that protect these individuals from any form of sex discrimination in the workplace. Below are some of the anti- discrimination laws currently in place on a federal and state level:

 

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Sex is one of the protected characteristics included under this federal statute. The law applies to employers with 15 or more employees. Covered employers may not terminate, demote, deprive salary, benefits or any other employment privileges, or deduct salary or wages to an employee, or deny an applicant a job, because of his or her sex. The law also does not allow sexual harassment in the workplace.

 

Equal Pay Act (EPA)

Under the EPA, covered employers cannot use sex as the basis for providing males a higher salary than their female counterparts and vice versa. The Act establishes that employers must provide pay and compensation to all employees equally regardless of their sex, as long as they have the same or substantially the same work skills, work conditions, and responsibilities.

 

California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)

This state statute is similar to Title VII, however, FEHA also applies to employers with five or more employees. Therefore, its coverage is broader than sex discrimination under Title VII.

For affected employees or applicants, it is important to establish employment rights as soon as possible by filing charges of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). Furthermore, an affected employee should immediately contact and consult with a 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. (877) 242-4410.

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