What Are Some Examples of Discrimination in the Workplace?

Our Los Angeles Employment Lawyer Explains The Most Common Examples

Each of our employment attorneys sees all kinds of workplace discrimination cases. From wrongful termination due to gender or a whistleblower receiving unfair disciplinary actions and workplace retaliation, there is no limit to various kinds of employment discrimination. The basis of employment discrimination lies in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits an employer from discriminating against an applicant or employee on the basis of “race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age.” In our examples, our lawyers warn that some types of discrimination are subtle and indirect.

What Are the Signs of Discrimination at Work?

Example of National Origin Discrimination

Jim is a permanent resident living in Los Angeles. He has lived in the United States for several years. He is qualified for the job he is applying for and legally able to work in this country. The hiring manager tells him that the company only wants to hire American citizens.

An applicant may not be denied or discriminated against merely because they are not a native of the country. If the applicant has the legal right to work in the country, then the applicant also has full access to the legal protections against discrimination.

Example of Sex and Gender Discrimination

Carol is a highly qualified candidate for a position and the interview is going well. The interviewing manager asks Carol casually about her plans for the future. Carol mentions that she wants to focus on her career right now. However, she does want to start a family at some point in the near future. A week later, she learns that she did not get the position.

Discrimination on the basis of gender is explicitly prohibited. However, there are nuances of protection that are not always immediately obvious. For instance, an employer cannot discriminate against a female candidate because of her gender. Additionally, the employer cannot discriminate against her because she may become pregnant and ask for time off to care for herself and her child.

Example of Age Discrimination

Frank’s company has fallen on hard times. The company is announcing layoffs and benefit cuts. Frank is one of the older employees in the office. His family relies on the insurance he receives through his job. One day, his manager comes to him and says that the company eliminated Frank’s position. Frank notices that many of his peers are cut from the company. However, the younger employees are largely left alone.

You cannot fire someone on the basis of age. If Frank were to contact a Los Angeles discrimination attorney, we would initiate an investigation to see if the younger employees were performing as well as Frank was in his position. If we found that Frank was actually one of the top performers, then there could be just cause for an employment discrimination lawsuit.