Newport Beach Workplace Discrimination Lawyer

Many people work hard to advance in their careers. Many people spend their entire lives building a network of colleagues and connections so that they can thrive in their chosen profession. When something threatens the hard work you have put into your career, it is essential to do everything in your power to protect yourself and your family.

Workplace discrimination is a harmful practice that can derail or end a career. Fortunately, employment law protects employees in discrimination scenarios, allowing individuals experiencing unfair treatment to take legal action.

If you have experienced discrimination in the workplace, it is time to take action. With the help of a Newport Beach employment attorney, you can achieve compensation for the treatment you have endured and protect your career from derailing. Our Newport Beach discrimination lawyers are ready to help you traverse the complicated and intimidating world of employment discrimination law.

The Law Offices of Corbett H. Williams: Premiere Newport Beach Employment Lawyers

For many years, our team of Newport Beach attorneys has been fighting for employees who have been treated unfairly. We know how much of an impact discrimination can have on your career, day-to-day life, and mental health. Because of this, we work diligently and efficiently to create a discrimination case that gives you the best chance of winning your claim. No other area law firm fights as hard for their clients.

Though we are ruthless in our pursuit of justice, we are sympathetic to the position you are in. We know that discrimination can be a vulnerable topic, so we approach every case with compassion, empathy, and understanding. You can trust us with your story, and we will do everything in our power to hold responsible parties accountable for the harm they have done. You do not have to go through this alone; our discrimination lawyers are here to walk the journey with you.

If you are looking for a firm that specializes in Newport Beach employment law, look no further than our team of expert discrimination attorneys.

What Is Workplace Discrimination?

Workplace discrimination can be difficult to identify, especially if you do not know what to look for. Every situation is different, which makes things particularly challenging. However, at its core, discrimination occurs when a person is treated differently or negatively because of a protected class. Protected classes are:

• Gender and gender expression
• Race
• Religion
• Disability or ability status
• Ethnicity
• Sexual orientation
• Pregnancy
• Marital status
• National origin

If you have been treated differently because of one of the above categories, you are likely eligible for a workplace discrimination claim. For example, if you have been excluded from all-staff meetings because of your religious practices, you can take legal action.

There are many different ways to discriminate against protected classes. Any time a person is treated negatively because of one of the above, they are being discriminated against. Common examples include:

• Not giving someone a job despite comparative qualifications
• Passing someone up for deserved promotions or pay raises
• Leaving someone out of meetings, emails, memos, or other group communications that they deserve to be a part of
• Firing someone upon discovering information about a protected class
• Making insensitive jokes or comments about a protected class
• Harassment based on a protected class

There are other examples of workplace discrimination that may arise. It is important to be diligent so that you can begin to build your case as soon as possible.

Why Do I Need a Newport Beach Lawyer for Discrimination?

Discrimination cases are often complicated. Though you may believe that the actions against you are clearly discriminatory, you need significant proof to win your claim. The court cannot side with you unless there is significant evidence that discrimination has occurred. Collecting and presenting this evidence is a significant undertaking that requires an expert hand. If you do not have the legal training for such a task, you will likely lose your case if you try to represent yourself.

Discrimination is often not an isolated incident. If you are experiencing discrimination in the workplace, it is likely that someone else has experienced or will experience the same. If you take action with the help of a qualified employment lawyer, you can prevent others from having to endure the same situation that you are going through. You have the potential to make a significant difference, so it is important to make the maximum effort by hiring a lawyer.

Finally, it can be intimidating or emotional to reflect on the discrimination that you have experienced. You can do additional emotional damage if you try to create your case on your own. Protect your mental health, career, and future by hiring an attorney.

Proving Discrimination

As mentioned, the best way to prove your discrimination case is through evidence. There are many types of evidence that you can present to the court. Some common and effective pieces of evidence include:

• Emails, text messages, memos, or other communication with the offender
• Performance reviews, write-ups, and written warnings
• HR records
• Coworker statements

There are many other types of evidence that may be helpful in your situation. Your lawyer will help you to assemble the right evidence and present it to the court.

Facing Retaliation

Retaliation is a common concern for workers who take action against workplace discrimination. If you are entering into a discrimination case, it is important to know that you cannot lose your job because you took legal action. In fact, retaliation of any kind is illegal, and California law takes this very seriously. Regardless of whether you win your case or not, your employer cannot treat you negatively because you took action against discrimination or perceived discrimination.

In some cases, employers do retaliate after a discrimination case. However, most understand their responsibility as employers and take steps to avoid any further issues. If you feel that your employer is retaliating against you, our lawyers are here to help you take further legal action to rectify the situation.

It is important to note that retaliation can happen even if an incident does not make it all the way to court. If you report an incident to HR and your employer begins to treat you differently or punishes you because of it, that is retaliation and is punishable by law. For example, if you are experiencing sexual harassment from your boss and you report it to HR, your boss cannot legally fire you for reporting your experience. Retaliation at any level is not tolerated.

FAQs

Q: How Long Does It Take to Settle a Discrimination Claim?

A: Discrimination claims can take anywhere from a few months to several years to settle. The time frame depends on the amount of evidence you have and your employer’s willingness to settle. Sometimes, these cases take a long time because the first settlement offer is too low and does not properly compensate you for what you have endured. In other scenarios, there are several victims involved (class action), and research takes a while.

Q: What Happens if Your Employer Doesn’t Pay You on Time in California?

A: If you have a wage or hour dispute, you can file a case with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement at the office of the Labor Commissioner. You can also hire an attorney to bring a case against your employer directly, where you can recover any overdue wages as well as the waiting period fee. However, your first step should be speaking with accounting and HR to make sure it was not simply a clerical or processing error.

Q: What Rights Do I Have as an Employee in California?

A: Employees in California have many rights, such as the right to a safe workplace, the right to work without discrimination and harassment, and the right to breaks and meal times. Your employer must also provide basic safety equipment in accordance with your job title and provide workers’ compensation insurance in the event that you get hurt on the job. If you believe that your rights are being violated at work, you should contact an attorney for help right away.

Q: How Much Do Employee Rights Lawyers Take?

A: Most employee rights attorneys charge hourly, but the amount that they charge will depend upon their experience. The average cost of an attorney is between $100 and $600 per hour. It is important to ask any potential attorneys about their fees before you hire them to ensure that you understand what you owe. You may need to interview several attorneys before you find one that is a good fit for your case and budget.

Contact the Law Offices of Corbett H. Williams

For many years, our team has been helping employees to recover from discrimination and take action against illegal behaviors at work. We know the complexity of these situations and can handle any claim with confidence and expertise. We are well known among the legal community for providing exemplary service to our clients and giving them the best chance of winning their employment discrimination claims. If you have been discriminated against at work, we are ready to help you seek justice.

For more information about our services, please contact the Law Offices of Corbett H. Williams via our website.