Costa Mesa Employment Discrimination Lawyer

We Advocate for Employee Rights in Costa Mesa

At the Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C., our Costa Mesa employment discrimination lawyers are experienced advocates for employee rights. Everyone deserves a safe, fair work environment that is free from illegal discrimination. If you or your family member were subject to discrimination in the workplace, we may be able to help. Call us at (888) 883-6588 to set up a free, strictly private consultation with an experienced Costa Mesa employment law attorney at the Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C.

An Overview of California Employment Discrimination Laws

Discrimination in employment is defined as unfavorable treatment on the basis of a legally protected status. An employee who is treated worse than a similarly qualified job applicant or co-worker may have been the victim of discrimination. They must prove that their rights were violated under the law because the unfavorable treatment was related to a protected characteristic such as racial background, sex, or age. Key laws that protect workers in Costa Mesa include:

• Federal Law: The main federal law that prohibits workplace discrimination is the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Employees may be protected against other types of discrimination under other federal statutes as well, including the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA). Notably, these laws apply to companies and organizations with 20 or more workers.
• California Law: California state law often provides more comprehensive legal protections to workers than federal law. The state’s main employment discrimination statute if the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). One of the most important things that workers in Costa Mesa should know about FEHA is that it applies to all employers with five or more total workers on staff.

We Handle the Full Range of Workplace Discrimination Claims in Costa Mesa

Our focus is on providing personalized attentive legal guidance and support to clients. At the Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C., we handle all types of employment discrimination claims. No matter the specific situation that an employee is dealing with, our Costa employment lawyer can help them determine the best course of action during a free consultation. Examples of employment discrimination cases we take on in Costa Mesa include:

• Race Discrimination: Race discrimination in the workplace is unacceptable. Sadly, it remains one of the most common types of workplace discrimination. Employees should not be denied a job, a promotion, or fair treatment in the workplace due to their actual or perceived racial background. There are federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, and ethnic background. Our Costa Mesa race discrimination attorney helps clients fight for justice.
• Sex Discrimination: Stereotypes about sex and gender should not be used to make decisions in the workplace. Employees treated unfavorably due to sex, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity may have a claim under federal law or state law. Although women are disproportionately affected by sex discrimination, the laws are gender-neutral. A male employee can file a claim for sex discrimination. These laws also prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace. Our Costa Mesa sex discrimination lawyer helps clients get justice.
• Age Discrimination: In recent years, there has been an increase in age-related discrimination in the workplace. Employees who are 40 years of age or older may have a claim for age discrimination if they were treated unfairly—such as being passed over for a promotion—due to stereotypes about their age. Age-based harassment in the workplace that rises to the level of a hostile work environment could also be the basis of an age discrimination claim. Call our Costa Mesa age discrimination attorney for a free, fully confidential review of your case.
• Disability Discrimination: Disability discrimination occurs when an employee who is fundamentally qualified for a job is denied fair treatment or fair opportunities based on their disability status. The ADA requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to help disabled workers. A reasonable accommodation is an adjustment to a job role or the workplace that helps a disabled worker perform a job for which he or she is qualified. It cannot impose an undue burden on an employer. The improper denial of reasonable accommodation could constitute disability discrimination. Our Costa Mesa disability discrimination lawyer advocates for workers.

You Have the Right to Report and Challenge Discrimination in the Workplace

Employees are not required to sit back and deal with unlawful discrimination. State and federal employment discrimination laws provide workers with a clear right to report and challenge discrimination—both within the workplace and through a formal complaint. Your employer cannot retaliate against you for doing so. As explained by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), retaliation is any type of punishment by an employer for asserting a legally protected right. Our Costa Mesa workplace retaliation attorney has the skills and legal experience to help employees who faced unlawful retribution for reporting discrimination.

How Costa Mesa Employment Discrimination Lawyer Joseph E. Richards May Be Able to Help

Employment discrimination claims are complicated. It is normal to feel frustrated, upset, and emotionally hurt in you were a victim of discrimination in the workplace. Our founder Joseph E. Richards is an experienced employee rights advocate. We provide dynamic representation to clients. More specifically, our Costa Mesa employment law attorney is prepared to:

• Conduct a free, comprehensive initial legal consultation.
• Thoroughly investigate a client’s case—securing and organizing all evidence.
• Advise clients on their options and represent them in any settlement negotiations.
• Develop a customized legal strategy to help our clients get the best outcome.

Contact Our Costa Mesa Workplace Discrimination Attorneys Today

At the Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C., our Costa Mesa employment discrimination lawyers are devoted, justice-focused advocates for clients. If you were a victim of workplace discrimination, professional guidance and support are available. Contact us at (888) 883-6588 to arrange your free, fully confidential consultation. We handle employment discrimination claims in Costa Mesa and throughout all of Orange County, including in Irvine, Santa Ana, and Newport Beach.