Workers in California enjoy many protections when it comes to securing their employment. For example, California's Fair Employment and Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate regarding employment based on the following factors: race, sex, religion, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender and age, among others.
The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing is one of the primary bodies responsible for ensuring discrimination does not take place and that, if it does, victims' situations are resolved. Those who believe they may be victims of age discrimination may want to know what their time limits are for filing a complaint with the Department.
First, it's helpful for potential age discrimination victims to know that it is possible to file a lawsuit under the FEHA. However, for cases involving employment-related discrimination, the Department requires a person go through every available administrative remedy by securing their Notice of Right to Sue. A Los Angeles age discrimination attorney can help a victim by explaining their legal options and the role of the REHA and the Department of Fair Employment and Housing.
In general, complaints filed with the Department need to be done so within a year of the alleged discriminatory action. This requirement may be different for those younger than age 18, however. Those individuals may have up until a year after they turn 18 to file a complaint. The Department urges potential victims to contact them if they believe their one-year period is almost up. Obtaining an attorney's advice at this time can prove invaluable, as filing a formal complaint may be extremely beneficial to victims of illegal age discrimination, wrongful termination and so on.
Age discrimination can take many forms in today's workplace, from refusing to hire someone to an employer who prefers to segregate employees based on age to firing someone simply due to their age when they can still perform their job duties. If a California worker believes his or her civil rights have been infringed upon, they can contact a Los Angeles workplace discrimination attorney for more information.
Source: California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, "Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)," accessed April 6, 2016
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