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Encino, CA Discrimination Attorney Who Seeks Maximum Compensation

Discrimination Lawyer in Encino Stands Up for Workers' Rights

Workplace discrimination can be a daunting and isolating experience. Employees can be left feeling undervalued and powerless. While a place like Encino is wonderful to live and work in, it is still not exempt from work mistreatment. Discrimination in the workplace involves negative treatment based on protected characteristics—such as race, sex, age, or disability—which are shielded under California law. Thankfully, employees facing unjust treatment at work can turn to an Encino workplace discrimination attorney to safeguard their rights and pursue justice on their behalf.

Everyone has the right to receive equal treatment at work. If you're in or near Encino and your employment rights have been violated, contact Malatesta Law right away. We're committed to assisting clients in navigating complex legal waters. Employment attorney Andrew J. Malatesta has successfully recovered millions of dollars in damages for California employees and will personally handle every aspect of your case.

Through vigorous advocacy, we aim to secure excellent outcomes for our clients, ensuring they receive the compensation and respect they deserve. Call our firm at (424) 284-1384 to schedule your FREE consultation with Encino employment law lawyer Andrew J. Malatesta today.

"Working with Andrew was a great experience, he took the time to listen and then went the extra miles to bring the case to resolution. From day one he always took my calls and explained everything in detail."
- Lou

Legal Framework in California

California has some of the most comprehensive anti-discrimination laws in the United States. California laws are designed to protect employees from certain unfair treatment. For example, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) is a pivotal piece of legislation that prohibits discrimination in employment based on various protected characteristics. This act applies to employers with five or more employees and covers a wide range of discriminatory practices, including hiring, termination, promotion, and compensation. Additionally, the California Labor Code provides further protections by ensuring equal pay and preventing retaliation against employees who speak out against discrimination.

Your Encino workplace discrimination lawyer can offer legal guidance on how to navigate these laws and pursue justice through appropriate legal channels.

What Is Considered Employment Discrimination in California?

Employment discrimination occurs when an employee or job applicant receives less favorable treatment due to having some type of protected characteristic, which are specific attributes or traits that are legally shielded from discrimination under California law.

The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the California Government Code make it illegal for an employer to refuse to hire someone or discriminate against an employee for any of the following reasons:

Race, Color: Discrimination based on the race or color of an individual, leading to unequal treatment or opportunities compared to others of different racial or ethnic backgrounds.
Ancestry, National Origin: Unjust treatment toward someone due to their ethnic heritage or country of origin, regardless of legal immigration status.
Religion, Creed: Unequal treatment or policies that adversely impact individuals because of their religious beliefs or practices.
Age (40 and Over): Discrimination against individuals who are 40 years old or older, often manifesting in unfair hiring practices or age-related bias in promotions or layoffs.
Disability (Mental and Physical): Prejudice or unfavorable workplace conditions directed at individuals with physical or mental impairments, denying them equal access to employment opportunities.
Sex (includes Pregnancy, Childbirth, Breastfeeding, or Related Medical Conditions): Unequal treatment or discrimination based on gender, encompassing issues related to pregnancy and associated medical conditions.
Sexual Orientation: Discrimination against individuals due to their sexual preferences, affecting aspects like hiring, promotions, or job security.
Gender Identity: Biased actions or policies against individuals based on their gender identity or expression, regardless of their sex assigned at birth.
Gender Expression: Differential treatment due to an individual's external expression of gender, which may include appearance, dress, and behavior.
Medical Condition: Discrimination based on an individual's medical status or history impacting their employment rights or conditions.
Genetic Information: Unjust treatment stemming from an individual's genetic predisposition to certain health conditions.
Marital Status: Unequal treatment in the workplace due to an individual's marital situation, whether single, married, divorced, or widowed.
Military or Veteran Status: Discrimination against individuals based on their current or former military service, affecting their employment opportunities and conditions.

Most Common Forms of Employment Discrimination

Discrimination occurs when an employee suffers an adverse employment action based on one or more protected characteristics. Adverse employment action is conduct that negatively affects an employee's compensation, working conditions, job responsibilities, or job status. Examples of this include:

Job dismissal (being fired)
Suspension
Demotion
Transfer to another department or area
Promotion denial
Reduced compensation
Separating employees
Unequal working conditions
Loss of job duties and/or responsibilities
Negative performance reviews

When an employer violates California law by illegally discriminating against an employee, they must be held accountable for their unlawful conduct.

Compensation in Encino for Victims of Employment Discrimination

In employment lawsuits, several types of compensation may be available to an aggrieved employee, including economic damages, emotional distress damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees.

Economic Damages: These are intended to compensate an employee for the wages and benefits they have lost as a result of their employer's conduct.
Back Pay for Lost Wages: Victims may receive compensation for the earnings they lost due to discrimination, restoring them financially to where they would have been without the unjust treatment.
Front Pay for Future Lost Earnings: This compensation addresses the loss of future wages, providing financial support for victims as they transition to new employment opportunities.
Emotional Distress: These damages are intended to compensate an employee for the emotional and psychological damages an employer's unlawful conduct has caused to them. These damages may cover a range of effects an employee has experienced as a result of their employer's unlawful conduct, including anxiety, depression, stress, worry, fear, anger, or frustration.
Punitive Damages: This type of compensation is awarded in cases involving particularly egregious misconduct to punish the employer and discourage others from engaging in similar behavior. These damages are awarded in addition to compensatory damages and are often substantial, reflecting the severity of the misconduct.
Attorney's Fees are intended to compensate an employee for the legal costs incurred as a result of needing to pursue legal action for their employer's violation of the law.

Call Our Encino Workplace Discrimination Lawyer for Legal Guidance

If you've suffered workplace discrimination in or near Encino, Malatesta Law can fight for you to get you the compensation you deserve. Attorney Andrew J. Malatesta can investigate your case, file a lawsuit on your behalf, and represent you in court, seeking justice and the full compensation you deserve.

Furthermore, our firm handles all cases on a contingency basis. This means you won't owe us anything—not one penny—unless we win you a settlement. After facing discrimination in the workplace, call our experienced Encino workplace discrimination lawyer at (424) 284-1384 to learn more today. You can also reach out to us online for a free consultation.

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“If you are looking for an AMAZING attorney-this is the perfect one! Andrew was so thorough and quickly jumped on my case. He went above and beyond for me. I would highly recommend Andrew.”
- Cecelia Bernal