Marital status discrimination is when someone is treated unfairly or denied the same opportunities as others because of their marital status. Marital status refers to whether someone is single, married, divorced, widowed, or in a domestic partnership. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits discrimination based on marital status in employment, housing, and public accommodations. According to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), marital status discrimination complaints have been increasing by an average of 5% per year since 2017. In 2021, the DFEH received 1,094 marital status discrimination complaints, up from 966 in 2020.
Employment discrimination laws protect employees from discrimination on marital status.
In the state of California, employees are protected by law against such unjust treatment. If you have faced marital status discrimination, it is essential to know your rights and take appropriate action. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency responsible for enforcing laws against workplace discrimination. The EEOC is responsible for enforcing federal laws that prohibit workplace discrimination, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. To file a claim, you can visit the EEOC’s website or contact their local office.
- Contact Employment Discrimination Lawyer for Legal Assistance: The first step in this journey is to seek legal advice from an experienced employment discrimination lawyer.
- Gather Supporting Evidence: Working closely with your attorney, gather any evidence that supports your claim, such as emails, performance evaluations, or witness statements. This evidence will help build a strong case against your employer.
- File a Charge with the EEOC: Your attorney will assist you in filling out the required forms to initiate the EEOC charge. This charge must be filed within a specific timeframe from the date of the discriminatory action. Failure to file within this timeframe may result in your claim being dismissed.
- EEOC Investigation: Upon receiving your charge, the EEOC will initiate an investigation into your claim. They may request additional information or conduct interviews with relevant parties.
- Mediation or Lawsuit: If the EEOC finds that your claim has merit, they may offer mediation as an option to resolve the dispute. If mediation fails or is not pursued, your attorney will evaluate the viability of filing a lawsuit against your employer.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will investigate your complaint and work towards resolving the issue through mediation or, if necessary, legal action. They have the authority to investigate claims and, if necessary, take legal action on your behalf. When filing a claim with the EEOC, it’s important to provide all relevant information and evidence supporting your case. This includes documenting instances of discrimination, gathering witness statements, and maintaining a record of any adverse employment actions taken against you due to your marital status.
Conclusion
Marital status discrimination should never be tolerated in any workplace. By taking action and filing a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, along with seeking legal advice, you can assert your rights and hold your employer accountable. Our team of experienced attorneys has a proven track record of successfully helping clients navigate complex workplace discrimination issues, whether they involve marital status, gender, race, or any other protected category. We understand that confronting workplace discrimination can be challenging, and we are here to provide you with the guidance and support you need. Contact California Employment Law Group PC at (424) 688-1057.
