Empowering You To Fight For Your California Employment Rights

Last updated on August 13, 2026

The job you rely on to earn a living should not be the source of undue stress or legal challenges. Unfortunately, too many employees in Southern California find themselves on the wrong side of discrimination and harassment in the workplace. If that describes your situation, it is vital for you to understand your rights and learn how to assert them.

Here at Makarem & Associates, we believe that all employees should be treated with dignity and respect. Our dedicated roster of Los Angeles employment law attorneys is ready to hear your concerns in full confidentially and stand up for your rights, with you.

When you collaborate with us, we ensure that your experience of discrimination at work can be tackled through resourceful and aggressive litigation. Whether you have faced discrimination as a result of your pregnancy or suffered harm because of your employer’s failure to accommodate your disability, we will commit to your case with intent using an efficient entrepreneurial approach.

At-Will Employment Does Not Give Employers The Entitlement To Discriminate ‘At Will’

Even if you are an “at-will” employee in California, you still have rights. This means that your employer cannot discriminate and wrongfully end your employment based on your protected class or protected activity. Under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), these include:

• Race
• Age
• Sex
• Religion
• Gender identity
• Marital status
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Physical or mental disability

Any at-will employee who is experiencing discriminatory bias in their hostile work environment has the right to file a complaint without being subject to retaliation. If your employer has fired you because of your actions, you can file a claim for wrongful termination and seek compensation for damages.

Breaking Down Federal And State Employment Laws

In California, the FEHA provides protections for employees from workplace discrimination. While it is similar to federal anti-discrimination laws, FEHA offers workers more protection against discriminating employers.

For instance, FEHA has a lower employee size threshold compared to Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act. You can file a discrimination claim if you work for an employer that has five or more employees, whereas federal laws only apply to employers with 15 or more workers.

Not only that, but FEHA offers a distinct definition for an employee to qualify for reasonable accommodations for their disability. Under this law, protections apply when you have an impairment that limits a major life activity. This overturns ADA’s substantial limitation.

Additionally, FEHA expands the protected classes by including marital status, medical conditions, gender expression and reproductive health decision-making.

Types Of Workplace Discrimination Rampant In California

Discrimination can take any form at work. You can face direct discrimination or disparate treatment, which refers to instances when your employer treats you differently because of a protected characteristic. Examples can include:

• A supervisor denies you a promotion because they openly stated that a younger choice fits the position better.
• An employer who establishes double standards between men and women.
• A manager who disqualifies you for an opportunity because of your race, marital status or pregnancy.

Some acts of discrimination are indirect, which is also known as disparate impact. This applies when a workplace policy or practice has a negative effect on a protected class, even if it was not intentional. Examples can include:

• Enforcing fitness trials for a role that does not involve physical labor, which rules out tenured employees or those with disabilities
• Prohibiting employees from wearing head coverings, which prevents employees from adhering to their religious practices
• Requiring employees to maintain a certain height even if it is not related to the role, which excludes female employees who are genetically shorter

These behaviors can count as a claim under California law, as it concerns protected areas. However, if you experience or witness general unfairness from supervisors, it may not count as illegal discrimination.

Signs You May Have A Discrimination Claim In Los Angeles County

Discrimination is not always obvious, but it leaves signs. Look out for these warning flags:

• Suspicious timing: Your manager suddenly shifts their behavior toward you after reporting discriminatory behavior in the team, disclosing a medical condition or reaching a milestone age.
• Inconsistent explanations: Employers have different or changing explanations about your sudden termination, demotion or denial of promotion.
• Direct or obvious bias: Co-workers and management hide their bias against your protected class in the form of jokes.
• Adverse action: Your manager terminated, demoted, cut your pay or forced you to resign due to a protected class.
• Lack of an interactive process: Your supervisor refused to engage in an interactive process after requesting reasonable accommodation.

If you notice any of these happening to you or a co-worker, understand that you have the right to file a claim against the employer.

Actions To Take If You Experience Discrimination At Work

Workplace discrimination claims in Los Angeles can be difficult, as you have the burden of proof. The best way to start is to build a claim by gathering relevant evidence. This can include emails that show your boss’s discriminatory remark, a personal log of verbal harassment and statements from witnesses. Consider securing copies of your performance reviews and any other documents that establish your standing at work.

Once you have everything ready, follow your company’s policies on reporting discrimination. Then, ensure you submit an administrative complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) within three years of the alleged unlawful practice. This step is essential to obtain a Right-to-Sue notice before filing a lawsuit in court.

How Makarem & Associates Helps Los Angeles Employees Fight Back

As experienced employment attorneys in California, we at Makarem & Associates have witnessed and represented employees across industries who are victims of workplace discrimination. Our job revolves around evaluating your case and determining whether you have the grounds to sue your employer under FEHA or related federal laws.

You can expect us to help you establish a prima facie case. Should the employer respond by providing evidence that they acted with a valid business reason, our focus shifts to demonstrating that they made a pretext to mask unlawful discrimination.

For Any Concerns Regarding Your Employment Rights, You Can Reach Out To Us

At Makarem & Associates, we understand just how important your livelihood is to you. It does not matter whether you are still a young employee or you are supporting a family – with a trusted Los Angeles law firm by your side, you can rest assured that our lawyers will hear your case, offer tailored solutions and support you through the full process.

To schedule a free consultation with us, contact us today on 800-610-9646 or leave us a message via our contact form.