Dealing with harassment, discrimination, or retaliatory conduct at work because of a protected characteristic like sexual orientation can be deeply hurtful and have a significant effect on an individual’s personal and professional life. This conduct is illegal, and workers who experience it may pursue legal remedies.
If you believe you have been discriminated against, contact Erkel Law, P.C., to speak with a Sacramento sexual orientation discrimination lawyer. Steve Erkel is a seasoned workplace discrimination attorney committed to helping employees seek justice from their employers. Hold your employer accountable for illegal and unethical discriminatory conduct today.
This type of discrimination happens when an employer treats an individual unfairly because of their sexual orientation. It could be based on a person’s actual or perceived orientation. Sexual orientation discrimination could be directed against lesbian, gay, bisexual, heterosexual, or differently oriented employees in employment practices such as hiring, pay, promotions, assignments, and more.
Examples of how an employer could discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation include the following:
A Sacramento lawyer could review your case and determine whether discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation occurred.
The laws against discrimination in California are some of the best in the country, both for employment generally and as it relates to sexual orientation. Employees facing discrimination can look to the following laws for legal protection:
The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prevents employers from discriminating against an individual based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
The California Labor Code protects workers from retaliation by their employers for reporting discrimination, filing a complaint, or engaging in another protected activity.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 now protects employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as well as race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County that this federal law’s protections include sexual orientation and gender identity. This relatively recent Supreme Court ruling makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate based on these characteristics at the state and federal level.
Some individuals who are discriminated against in their workplace are afraid to speak up out of fear of retaliation or because they are unsure what to do. It is essential to maintain a detailed record of any discrimination that occurs.
Next, the discrimination should be reported to the employer, following any internal reporting procedures. Acting quickly in these situations is critical, as there are deadlines for filing discrimination claims. Waiting too long to begin could limit your options. Contact a sexual orientation discrimination lawyer in Sacramento for advice on the next best step.
If you have experienced discrimination, contact a Sacramento sexual orientation discrimination lawyer. At Erkel Law, P.C., you will be treated with utmost respect.
Our experienced attorney could assist you in several ways. They could assist you in reporting the injustice, facilitating communication with an employer, filing a formal complaint, seeking compensation for damages, and pursuing a lawsuit if necessary.
If your employer has violated anti-discrimination employment laws, do not hesitate to take action. Contact Erkel Law, P.C. today to begin the process of securing justice.
(916) 709-3702 
