What Qualifies as a Civil Rights Violation in the Workplace?
Civil rights violations in the workplace occur when an employee’s legally protected rights are infringed upon through discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or other unlawful actions. These violations undermine the principle that all employees should have equal opportunities and fair treatment, regardless of their race, religion, gender, disability, or other protected characteristics.
Recognizing when workplace behavior or policies constitute unlawful conduct is the first step toward taking legal action. In Los Angeles, California, Toni Jaramilla, A Professional Law Corporation, represents individuals facing these types of injustices.
As a civil rights lawyer, Toni Jaramilla is committed to helping employees hold employers accountable for violating workplace protections and to advocating for fair and lawful treatment.
Defining Civil Rights in the Workplace
Civil rights in employment are legal protections granted under federal and state laws. These rights prevent employers from making decisions or taking actions that discriminate against or harm workers based on certain characteristics.
Several laws provide these protections, including:
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – Prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and requires reasonable accommodations.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) – Protects workers age 40 and older from age-based discrimination.
California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) – Expands protections for employees in California, including more categories and broader enforcement.
These laws form the foundation for determining whether a workplace action may be a civil rights violation. If an employer’s behavior or policies infringe on these rights, legal remedies may be available.
Discrimination as a Civil Rights Violation
Discrimination is one of the most common forms of workplace civil rights violations. It occurs when an employee is treated unfairly or unfavorably because of a protected characteristic rather than their job performance.
Common examples of workplace discrimination include:
Hiring bias – Rejecting qualified candidates based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics.
Unequal pay – Paying employees differently for the same work because of a protected status.
Promotion denials – Overlooking qualified workers for advancement due to personal bias.
Unfair disciplinary actions – Issuing harsher punishments to employees of certain backgrounds for the same infractions.
When these situations occur, a civil rights lawyer can help review the facts, identify legal violations, and determine the appropriate course of action.
Harassment and Hostile Work Environments
Harassment is another serious form of civil rights violation that can create a toxic and unlawful work environment. While some harassment may be verbal, it can also include physical actions or unwelcome written communication.
Here are some forms of harassment that may violate civil rights:
Sexual harassment – Includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for favors, or other conduct of a sexual nature.
Racial harassment – Offensive remarks, jokes, or actions targeting someone’s race or ethnicity.
Religious harassment – Mocking or targeting an individual’s beliefs, attire, or customs.
Disability-related harassment – Insults or offensive actions directed toward someone’s physical or mental condition.
A hostile work environment occurs when such harassment becomes so severe or pervasive that it alters the conditions of employment. Addressing harassment quickly is important to prevent escalation and protect employees’ rights.
Retaliation for Asserting Rights
Employees are legally protected from retaliation when they report unlawful conduct, participate in investigations, or assert their civil rights. Retaliation can be subtle or obvious, but it’s always unlawful if it’s linked to a protected action.
Common retaliation examples include:
Demotion after filing a discrimination complaint.
Termination following participation in a workplace investigation.
Shift reassignment to less favorable hours as punishment.
Exclusion from meetings or projects after raising concerns.
Retaliation not only harms the individual employee but also discourages others from speaking out. A civil rights lawyer can help victims hold employers accountable for these retaliatory acts.
Denial of Reasonable Accommodations
Denial of reasonable accommodations occurs when an employer refuses, without a valid reason, to make adjustments that would allow employees with disabilities, pregnancy-related conditions, or certain religious practices to perform their job duties effectively.
These accommodations can take many forms, such as adjusting work schedules to allow time for medical treatments or religious observances, providing assistive devices for employees with physical limitations, offering remote work arrangements when suitable, or temporarily reassigning pregnant employees to lighter duties.
Even failing to participate in the interactive process to explore possible accommodations can expose an employer to legal liability.
Wrongful Termination and Civil Rights
Termination becomes a civil rights issue when it’s based on a protected characteristic or is in retaliation for protected actions. While employers generally have the right to end employment, they can’t do so for unlawful reasons.
These are some examples of wrongful termination that may violate civil rights include:
Firing an employee after they report discrimination.
Terminating someone due to pregnancy.
Letting an employee go because of age.
Dismissing a worker with a disability without considering accommodations.
Because wrongful termination cases often rely on proving the employer’s motive, working with a civil rights lawyer can be essential for gathering evidence and presenting a strong claim.
Wage Discrimination and Pay Equity Violations
Pay discrimination occurs when employees receive different wages for the same work due to a protected characteristic. Laws like the Equal Pay Act and California’s Fair Pay Act address these violations directly.
The signs of wage discrimination may include:
Different pay rates for employees with similar qualifications and duties.
Unequal bonuses or commissions based on gender or race.
Denial of pay raises to certain employees while others receive increases.
Pay disparities can affect an employee’s financial security for years. A civil rights lawyer can analyze pay records and employment practices to identify violations.
Employer Policies That Violate Civil Rights
Sometimes, a workplace policy—while appearing neutral—can disproportionately harm employees in a certain group, a situation known as disparate impact discrimination.
This can occur when a dress code effectively targets religious attire, when physical requirements unrelated to the job exclude specific groups of workers, or when seniority systems are applied in ways that disadvantage individuals in protected categories. If these types of policies unnecessarily restrict opportunities for certain employees, they may be considered unlawful.
Steps to Take If Rights Are Violated
Employees who suspect their rights have been violated should act quickly by documenting incidents in detail, preserving relevant communications such as emails or text messages, and reporting the situation through proper internal channels, like a supervisor or human resources.
It’s also important to consult a civil rights lawyer to review possible legal options and determine the strength of any potential claims. Taking these actions promptly not only helps protect the employee’s legal standing but also creates a clear and credible record of events.
Work of a Civil Rights Lawyer
A civil rights lawyer provides crucial guidance when workplace rights are at stake. From evaluating whether a violation occurred to representing an employee in court, their job is central to protecting individuals against unlawful treatment.
Civil rights attorneys from Toni Jaramilla's Law Corporation may:
Review facts to determine if a legal claim exists.
Gather evidence by interviewing witnesses and requesting documents.
File complaints with government agencies like the EEOC or the California Civil Rights Department.
Represent clients in negotiations or at trial.
By working with an experienced civil rights lawyer, employees can make informed decisions and pursue justice effectively.
California’s Strong Civil Rights Protections
California offers broader workplace protections than federal law in several areas. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act, for example, covers more employers and includes additional protected categories such as marital status, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Employers in California must also comply with:
Pregnancy Disability Leave Law – Provides up to four months of leave.
California Equal Pay Act – Strengthens pay equity requirements.
Whistleblower protections – Safeguard employees who report unlawful activity.
Because California laws often provide more avenues for relief, an employee in Los Angeles may benefit greatly from consulting a civil rights lawyer who knows both state and federal statutes.
When to Seek Legal Help
Employees should consider contacting a lawyer as soon as they believe a violation has occurred. Early legal guidance can prevent missed deadlines and improve the chances of a favorable outcome.
Situations that may require immediate consultation include:
Sudden termination after reporting misconduct.
Ongoing harassment despite complaints.
Denial of accommodations with no explanation.
Notice of disciplinary action tied to protected activity.
Acting quickly can preserve important evidence and strengthen a legal claim.
Contact a Civil Rights Lawyer Today
Workplace civil rights violations can take many forms, from discrimination and harassment to retaliation and wrongful termination. Victims have the right to seek justice and hold employers accountable. Toni Jaramilla, A Professional Law Corporation, serves clients in Los Angeles, California. If you believe your rights have been violated, contact their firm today to speak with a civil rights lawyer who can review your case and advise you on the next steps.