The Unruh Civil Rights Act provides protection from discrimination by all business establishments in California, including housing and public accommodations.
The federal EEOC has jurisdiction over employers with 15 or more employees for most matters. The DFEH, however, can take enforcement action against any business with 5 or more employees on the payroll, pursuant to the state's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).
Report discrimination to a local Fair Employment Practices Agency (FEPA). If the discrimination breaks both a state and federal law, the FEPA will also send your complaint to the EEOC. Use the EEOC's directory of field offices to find the FEPA near you.
Evidence in a discrimination case in California typically includes: emails, text messages, recordings, disciplinary forms, termination documents, or a copy of your employment contract if one exists. If you're like most Californians, you spend an inordinate amount of time at work.
Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces Federal laws that protect you from discrimination in employment. If you believe you've been discriminated against at work or in applying for a job, the EEOC may be able to help.
Include the following in your complaint letter: Your name, address and telephone number. The name, address, and telephone number of your attorney or authorized representative, if you are represented. The basis of your complaint. The date(s) that the incident(s) you are reporting as discrimination occurred.
Anti-Discrimination Laws Title VII of the Civil Rights Act maintains no business is allowed to turn away a customer based on the person being a member of the following protected status: Race or color. National origin or citizenship status. Religious beliefs.
California law bans discrimination based on “actual or perceived” sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression, which means you are protected even if your employer is mistaken about your identity.
California has among the most protected classes of people in the country. California businesses cannot discriminate based on race, religion, ancestry, language, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, medical condition and more.
For example, in a disability or race discrimination case, some courts have said that the 4 elements are that (1) the plaintiff belongs to a protected group, (2) he is qualified for the job (3) the plaintiff was discriminated against, and (4) the plaintiff was replaced bv a nonminority.