California is an at-will employment state, which means, with very few exceptions, that your employer can fire you on the spot. While this fact may sound frightening, there are some state and federal laws that protect you, the employee, from incessantly searching the help wanted ads. Your boss cannot fire you for such things as reporting a safety issue in the workplace or reporting discrimination. If any of the below six categories is at the root of your firing, you could have a strong wrongful termination case.
Race
Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, employees cannot be discriminated against because of race or personal characteristics associated with race, including hair texture, skin color, or certain facial features.
Religion
This nation was founded on religious freedoms; therefore, your employers cannot fire you based upon your beliefs. Title VII protects employees who belong to organized religions as well as individuals who sincerely hold religious, ethical, or moral convictions. The spouses of the religious faithful are also protected under this federal law.
Gender
Your intelligence should be the only reason you earn or lose a job, not your anatomy. Discrimination against an individual because of gender identity, including transgender status, or because of sexual orientation is illegal under multiple state and federal laws.
Age
Whether you’re 19 or 99 if you have the will to work you should be able to find work. Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, you must be at least 40 years old to claim ageism in the workplace. Unfortunately, there are currently no laws to protect against reverse age discrimination, which favors older workers at the expense of younger ones.
Pregnancy
Carrying a child for nine months is taxing enough; you should not have to worry about losing your job during the process as well. Thankfully, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act requires employers to treat pregnancy on the same level as other medical conditions in regards to leave policies, health insurance, and more.
Disability
Having a disability should never automatically disqualify you from the workforce. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, qualified individuals who can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation should be treated like every other employee.
If you believe you have been discriminated against or wrongfully terminated, you should seek the advice of an experienced labor and employment law attorney as soon as possible. Contact the Carter Law Firm today for immediate assistance.
