Sex Discrimination

We Protect Employees from Sex Discrimination in the Inland Empire and Throughout Southern California

At the Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C., our Inland Empire sex discrimination lawyer is an experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated advocate for employee rights. Your sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity should never be used to deny you fair and equitable opportunities in the workplace. 

If you or your family member were the victims of sex-based discrimination, we are here to help potential clients understand their options. To arrange a strictly confidential consultation with a Southern California employment lawyer, please do not hesitate to contact us at our Santa Ana law office or our Corona law office. We are ready and prepared to help clients every step of the way.

An Overview of Sex Discrimination Laws in California

Sex discrimination laws are designed to ensure that workers are evaluated, promoted, disciplined, and managed based on their individual qualifications, not on preconceived stereotypes about their sex or gender. There are both federal and state employment regulations in place that protect workers against sex-based discrimination. Employees in the Inland Empire may have protections under the following sex discrimination prohibition laws: 

• Federal Law: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 explicitly prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex or gender. The federal law applies to employers with 15 or more total employees.  
• California Law: The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex or gender. The state law applies to employers with 5 or more total employees.

What Constitutes Sex Discrimination in the Workplace in California? 

Under both Title VII and FEHA, sex discrimination is defined broadly as unfavorable treatment on the basis of sex. In some cases, gender-based discrimination is open and obvious. It may even be explicit. Though, in many other cases, sex discrimination is subtle. These cases can be challenging as sex discrimination can take many different forms. Here are some of the most common examples of gender/sex discrimination in the workplace: 

• Refusal to hire a female employee 
• Refusal to promote female employees
• Lower pay for workers based on sex 
• Different standards for workers based on their sex
• Harassment of an employee on the basis of sex

What to Know About Sexual Orientation Discrimination and Gender Identity Discrimination

LGBTQ employees are protected against sex-based discrimination. Under federal law and state law, sexual orientation discrimination and gender identity discrimination are, by definition, forms of discrimination on the basis of sex. In the 2020 Supreme Court case of Bostock v. Clayton County, the nation’s highest court found that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity is inextricable to sex. An employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender defies the law. If you believe that you or your loved one was subject to sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace, contact an attorney for immediate help with scheduling an appointment for a free consultation for your potential case. 

Sex Discrimination Laws are Gender Neutral (Men are Protected)

Women are disproportionately affected by sex/gender discrimination in the workplace. That said, men are also victims of sex discrimination—particularly in fields that are female-dominated. Federal and state sex discrimination laws are gender neutral. Men who are victims have the right to file a sex discrimination case. If you were treated less favorably than similarly qualified co-workers or job applicants because you are male, you may have been the victim of gender discrimination. 

What to Do If You Were a Victim of Sex Discrimination

If you were a victim of sex discrimination in the workplace in Orange County, Riverside County, or San Bernardino County, it is imperative that you act to protect your rights. Here are four steps to take if you believe that you were the victim of sexual discrimination in the workplace in California: 

1. Remain Calm, Know Your Rights: It is normal to be hurt, frustrated, and even outraged after being mistreated based on your sex. At the time you recognize what is going on, it is important to remain calm and know your rights. Sex discrimination in the workplace is a legal issue. Make sure that it is handled in the proper manner. 
2. Document the Incident: To the best of your ability, proactively document the sex discrimination. To start, write down exactly what happened. Contemporaneous notes are potentially an important form of evidence. Beyond that, preserve any other relevant evidence, including memos, emails, text messages, and witness contact information. 
3. Report the Discrimination: If you are employer is covered by Title VII or FEHA, you have the right to report sex discrimination in the workplace without facing retaliation. You can complain internally (to the HR department) or externally (to regulators). A California employment lawyer can help a client lodge a complaint the right way. 
4. Consult With an Attorney: You do not have to navigate the complexities of state and federal gender discrimination laws on your own. Professional guidance may be available. The best step that you can take to protect your rights is to consult with an experienced California sex discrimination in employment lawyer as early on in the process as possible. 

How Inland Empire Employment Lawyer Joseph E. Richards Can Help Clients

Sex discrimination claims are complicated. Our founding lawyer Joseph E. Richards is an experienced employment law advocate with a commitment to helping workers secure fair and equitable treatment. When you reach out to our Corona office or our Santa Ana office, you will have an opportunity to consult with a California sex discrimination lawyer who can: 

• Hear your story, answer your questions, and explain state/federal discrimination laws 
• Investigate a client’s case—securing the evidence that a client needs to support a claim 
• Handle paperwork, correspondence with a client’s employer, and settlement negotiations and 
• Devise a strategy focused on getting a client the best outcome in a sex discrimination claim

Call Our Inland Empire Sex Discrimination Attorney for Immediate Assistance 

At the Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C., our Inland Empire workplace sex discrimination lawyer has the skills and experience that a client can count on. Be proactive: Protect your rights. Contact our Southern California sex discrimination lawyers at the Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C. at (888) 883-6588 to schedule your completely confidential consultation. 

We fight for the rights of victims of sex discrimination in the workplace throughout the region, including Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Irvine, Orange, Santa Ana, Corona, Riverside, and Jurupa Valley.