Employment Law Firm in Orange County
Employment lawyer in Orange County
Under the law, unfair treatment that is based on a characteristic or special class, protected by federal and state nondiscriminatory laws, is illegal. The protected classes are age, race, disability, sex, national origin, or religious beliefs. An attorney familiar with employment law in Orange County can assist you with all types of employment discrimination.
Hiring
Under federal law, an employer does not have to hire or promote the most qualified applicant. But an employer cannot base decisions on personal characteristics that are not job-related such as the following:
| • Age • Race • Sex |
• Religion • National origin • Disability |
An interviewer is not allowed to ask questions relating to these characteristics such as the following:
• Are you married? Are you planning to get married?
• Do you have children? Are you planning to have children?
• Where were you born?
• What is your sexual orientation?
• Have you ever been arrested?
Sexual harassment
An employer may be liable to an employee for instances of sexual harassment which can include unwelcome sexual advances, conduct, or other physical or verbal acts of a sexual nature, that occur in the workplace such as the following:
• Direct sexual conduct including making sexual advances or statements
• Quid pro quo including job-related benefits being offered in exchange for sexual conduct
• Hostile work environment in which an employer maintains an overly sexual work environment
In California, the California Department of Social Services' Civil Rights Bureau is involved in protecting the rights of the citizens of California with regard to sexual harassment and discrimination claims.
Discrimination and wrongful termination
Employers are not allowed to terminate or discriminate against employees for the following reasons:
|
• Age |
• National origin • Disability • Pregnancy |
It is illegal for an employer to consider these characteristics with regard to:
| • Promotions • Job assignments |
• Termination • Wages |
It is also illegal for an employer to terminate an employee:
| • For refusing to break a law • In retaliation for filing a discrimination or safety claim • For taking leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act |
• Without following its own stated procedure or policy • For reasons not contained in the employment contract, if one exists |
Are you seeking employment law firms in Orange County? Contact the Carter Law Firm, experienced employment lawyers in Orange County, if you have questions about violations of employment laws in Orange County. We serve all of California.
