Los Angeles Gender Discrimination Lawyer

Legal Strategies to Address Gender Discrimination in California

At Kesluk, Silverstein, Jacob & Morrison, we recognize the importance of promoting equality and ensuring everyone is treated fairly, regardless of gender. Gender discrimination is a pervasive issue that can affect various aspects of a person's life, including their employment

opportunities, workplace environment, and overall well-being. Our attorneys are committed to fighting against gender discrimination in Los Angeles and beyond. If you have experienced gender discrimination, it's crucial to understand your rights and seek the assistance of a qualified Los Angeles gender lawyer. 

Call Kesluk, Silverstein, Jacob & Morrison today at (310) 997-4431 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our gender discrimination attorney in Los Angeles!

Understanding Gender Discrimination: What You Need to Know

Common Instances of Gender Discrimination

At Kesluk, Silverstein, Jacob & Morrison, we have handled a wide range of gender discrimination cases, each with its unique circumstances. Some common examples include:

• Glass Ceiling: A qualified female employee being denied promotions or advancement opportunities solely due to gender.
• Unequal Compensation: Instances where male and female employees receive different pay for performing the same job with similar responsibilities.
• Hostile Work Environment: Creating an atmosphere where derogatory comments, inappropriate jokes, or unwarranted advances based on gender are tolerated.
• Discrimination During Pregnancy: Unlawful termination, demotion, or denial of benefits to pregnant employees.
• Gender-Based Stereotyping: Making employment decisions based on stereotypes about how individuals of a specific gender should behave or perform their job duties.

California Laws Against Gender Discrimination

California has robust laws in place to protect individuals from gender discrimination. Some of the critical statutes include:

• California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA): Prohibits gender-based discrimination in all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, and termination.
• Equal Pay Act: Requires employers to pay employees of any gender equally for substantially similar work.
• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act: Applies to employers with 15 or more employees and prohibits discrimination based on sex, including gender discrimination.

Bona Fide Occupational Qualification Defense Explained

While California laws are generally comprehensive in prohibiting all workplace and housing discrimination, there are some exceptions. For example, some religious organizations may not be held to these laws in certain circumstances. Additionally, Title VII and most state anti-discrimination laws recognize a limited bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) defense. This permits employers to consider a person's gender when filling specific jobs that raise privacy concerns for customers or other third parties. This may include restroom and locker-room attendants.

However, it is still unclear whether courts will recognize a similar BFOQ defense concerning transgender applicants. We also do not know if the BFOQ defense will work in states that extend equal rights protections to transgender applicants.

Gathering Evidence for Your Gender Discrimination Claim

Proving gender discrimination can be challenging, but our experienced gender discrimination lawyers can help gather the necessary evidence. Examples of evidence that may support your case include:

• Witness Testimonies: Statements from colleagues or supervisors who have observed discriminatory behavior.
• Documentation: Emails, memos, or other written communication demonstrating discriminatory actions.
• Comparative Evidence: Showing disparities in treatment between employees of different genders in similar situations.
• Performance Records: Highlighting instances where an individual's performance is unfairly criticized based on gender stereotypes.
• Pattern of Behavior: Establishing a consistent pattern of discriminatory actions over time.