Do you believe your employer has treated you unfairly in the workplace because of your gender, gender expression, or gender identity? You don’t have to accept that kind of conduct at work — and the law gives you the right to take action.
The attorneys at Moon Law Group, PC, have vast experience representing employees. We understand the fine points of gender discrimination cases and fight vigorously to hold employers accountable. When you meet with us, our lawyers can hear your story, help you explore your options, and decide how you can move forward.
Discover how to assert your rights by contacting Moon Law Group today and scheduling your free, confidential consultation with a Los Angeles gender discrimination lawyer. You pay nothing for us to get started on your case, and there are no fees unless we successfully resolve your matter.
How Can a Los Angeles Gender Discrimination Lawyer Help with My Case?
Since 2007, Moon Law Group has focused exclusively on helping employees, not corporations. We represent workers across California in cases involving gender discrimination, gender harassment, and unfair treatment of transgender employees. Our team has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for tens of thousands of employees.
Our attorneys know how to take on large companies that try to avoid responsibility. As one of the largest plaintiff’s employment law firms in California, we have the staff, the resources, and the legal knowledge to fight for you. We handle both individual lawsuits and large collective and class actions when many employees face the same problem.
We at Moon Law Group are proud of our strong track record in state and federal courts. Our lawyers build solid cases and push hard in every stage of litigation. People across Los Angeles and throughout the Golden State recognize us for our direct, effective approach, while the defense attorneys who represent companies know we mean business.
If your employer discriminated against you because of your gender identity, harassed you at work, or treated you unfairly because you’re transgender, we are here to protect your rights and hold your employer accountable. Contact Moon Law Group today for a free, no-obligation case review.
What Is Gender Discrimination?
Gender discrimination happens when someone treats another person unfairly because of their sex, gender, gender identity, or gender expression. In the workplace, discrimination can arise in hiring, promotions, pay decisions, job assignments, or disciplinary actions. It might also involve offensive comments, jokes, or actions that create a toxic work environment.
Gender discrimination can affect people of any gender, including men, women, transgender workers, and nonbinary employees. Fortunately, both state and federal laws protect workers from this kind of treatment. If your employer bases their decisions on stereotypes or ignores your rights because of your gender, you could have a legal claim.
When you meet with Moon Law Group, we can assess your situation to determine whether you have a viable legal case.
What Are Typical Signs of Gender Discrimination at Work?
Gender discrimination at work can take numerous forms. Many workers across California face unfair treatment because of outdated beliefs, stereotypes, or unequal policies. Whether it’s the way a manager speaks to you, the pay you receive, or the chances you get to advance your career, gender bias can affect your work life in real ways.
The following are common types of gender discrimination in the workplace:
- Gender-Based Stereotyping – Managers might expect female workers to take notes, plan parties, or act more “polite,” while assuming men should take the lead on projects. These assumptions can impact job roles, assignments, and the way people interact with women in meetings.
- Unequal Compensation – If an employer pays a man more than a woman or a nonbinary person for the same work, even though they have similar experience and skills, that can be gender discrimination. The same goes for awarding bonuses, commissions, or raises.
- Failure to Hire or Promote – A company might pass over qualified workers because of gender. For example, a woman might lose out on a promotion because leadership wrongly believes she’ll be less committed if she chooses to have children.
- Exclusion from Training or Development Opportunities – Some employees are invited to mentorship programs, leadership training, or company events, while others are not. If gender plays a role in who gets those opportunities, that’s a red flag.
- Hostile Work Environment – Gender-based jokes, name-calling, or unwanted comments can make the workplace feel unsafe. If this kind of behavior occurs frequently and management ignores it, the situation could be considered discrimination.
- Discrimination During Pregnancy – Some employers might cut an employee’s hours, take them off projects, or even fire them because they’re pregnant. Some expectant workers also face pushback when requesting time off or performing light-duty work, even if they have a doctor’s note.
What Laws Protect Me from Workplace Gender Discrimination?
Several California gender laws protect workers from gender discrimination at work. They apply to hiring, pay, promotions, job duties, training, and other parts of your job. Both federal and state laws give you the right to fair treatment, no matter your gender, gender identity, or gender expression.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
As a part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII bans employers from treating workers unfairly due to their sex, gender, or gender identity. It covers actions like firing, refusing to hire, or passing someone over for a raise based on their gender.
Federal Equal Pay Act (EPA)
The EPA dictates that men and women must receive equal pay for equal work. The law looks at skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions to determine what constitutes equal work. If two people perform the same job, the employer must pay them equally, unless a legal reason justifies a difference in pay.
California Equal Pay Act (CEPA)
This state law also focuses on equal pay. It goes a step further than the federal law by protecting workers from unfair pay based on gender, race, or ethnicity. It covers “substantially similar” work, not just identical jobs.
What Damages Could I Recover in a Gender Discrimination Lawsuit?
If you win a gender discrimination lawsuit, the court may award you damages (money). The exact amounts and types of damages you can get will vary depending on the facts of your case, but the following are some of the more common ones:
- Unpaid Wages and Paid Leave – If your employer failed to pay you for your hours worked, overtime, or unused paid time off, you could recover compensation for those amounts.
- Lost Earnings – If you lost your job or missed out on raises or promotions due to discrimination, you could recover money for the income you would have earned.
- Value of Lost Job Benefits – This includes things like health insurance, retirement contributions, or stock options you lost because of discrimination.
- Emotional Trauma or Distress – Courts may award you money for the mental and emotional harm you suffered because of unfair treatment.
- Punitive Damages – If your employer acted with clear intent to harm or showed reckless disregard for your rights, the court may order them to pay you extra damages as punishment for the behavior.
How Can I Prove Gender Discrimination at Work?
In order to prove gender discrimination at work, you’ll need clear evidence that your employer treated you unfairly because of your sex, gender, gender identity, or gender expression.
You can start by saving emails, texts, or written policies that show unfair treatment. Keep notes about what happened, when it happened, and who was involved. If any of your coworkers witnessed the discrimination, ask if they would be willing to back you up. Documentation like pay records, job evaluations, and hiring or promotion decisions can also support your case.
Even with strong evidence, proving discrimination can be challenging, as employers often attempt to conceal the true reasons behind their actions. A lawyer from Moon Law Group can help you collect the right records, speak with witnesses, and compare your situation to others at your job. We can also help you determine the type of claim to file and where to file it. With the right legal help, you can build a strong case and protect your rights.
How Long Do I Have to File a Gender Discrimination Claim?
The amount of time you have to file a gender discrimination claim depends on where you file and what law your claim falls under. In California, most workers file with either the state’s Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
For claims under California law, the statute of limitations allows only three years from the date the discrimination happened for you to file a complaint with the CRD. If you wait longer than that, the CRD will likely reject your complaint. If you want to take your case to court, you must first request a Right to Sue notice. After you get that notice, you have one year to file a lawsuit.
If you choose to file a complaint with the EEOC instead, the deadline is shorter. You have only 300 days from the date of the last incident to file. After getting a Right to Sue letter from the EEOC, you have 90 days to file a lawsuit in federal court.
A gender discrimination attorney in Los Angeles can help you decide the best way to file your claim and make sure you meet all deadlines so your case stays on track.
Contact a Los Angeles Gender Discrimination Attorney Today
If you believe your employer has treated you unfairly because of your gender, now is the time to speak up. The Los Angeles gender discrimination attorneys of Moon Law Group have helped thousands of workers across California stand up against discrimination. We know how to build strong, compelling cases, and we don’t back down from employers who break the law.
Contact us today to arrange your free, confidential initial consultation. We’re ready to listen, answer your questions, and help you plan your next steps.