It is a violation of the law for an employer to discriminate against someone because of their gender. These laws pertain to all aspects of job searches and the employment relationship, including advertisement, interviewing, hiring, training, salary, promotions, raises, benefits, job assignment, and firing. Gender discrimination is prohibited by federal law to ensure that all employees have a safe working environment in which company policies are fair and provide equal opportunities to people regardless of gender. For example, a company cannot have different work conditions for male and female employees, segregate employees by gender, pay different rates to male and female employees, or base promotions and other decisions on gender. If you feel you have been discriminated against as an employee or as a job applicant, you have the right to file a complaint or a lawsuit.

Other illegal behaviors include sex discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination. Sexual harassment may involve unwanted sexual advances or requests for sexual favors. Compliance with these requests may or may not be a condition of employment or promotion. Sexual harassment also includes lewd or offensive comments about a person’s gender, inappropriate touching such as unwelcome hugs or kisses, or displays of sexually objectionable material. The harasser can be a co-worker, a supervisor, or a client. You can be sexually harassed by someone of the same gender or the opposite gender. Any frequent verbal or physical behavior that makes you uncomfortable and interferes with your ability to do your job may be considered harassment. Companies have a responsibility to remedy any sexual harassment or discriminatory actions and cannot retaliate against any employee making such a claim or create an intimidating or hostile work environment to discourage such claims. Gender or sex-based discrimination (originally called “sex discrimination”) is pervasive in the United States and around the world. Federal and state laws were originally enacted to protect girls and women from unfavorable treatment in the workplace based in whole or part on gender or sex. However, the definitions have expanded and now the law recognizes that men can be victims of gender discrimination, as can transgender people.

If you feel you are the victim of sexual harassment or another type of gender discrimination, you have rights. Talking to an attorney experienced with employment-related claims can help level the playing field and give you the information and resources you need to protect yourself. For more information about your rights in the workplace, contact Larian Law Firm today for a free consultation.

Call (310) 720-0505 to schedule a consultation with our attorneys at Larian Law Firm or fill out a free case review form to get started. Our attorneys work with clients residing in the county of Los Angeles and throughout California.