One of the most fundamental and important employee rights is the right to a workplace in which you are treated fairly and allowed to do your work to the best of your ability. This means a workplace free from discrimination based on things like race, gender, disability and even age. Unfortunately, even though these types of discrimination are illegal, some employers fail to recognize that certain phrases or opinions might offend others. In some cases, employers may simply feel that they are above the law and are thus free to treat employees how they see fit.
The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission collects data to determine the percentage of discrimination charges based on different types of discrimination. There is a particular page devoted exclusively to the charges in California, and the numbers paint an interesting picture about our state’s discrimination issues. It is important to remember that this table lists only charges, and not convictions.
Based on the statistics, residents of California are most likely to face discrimination based on their race. From 2009 to 2013, more than 2,200 charges of racial discrimination were made annually.
When you consider all of the charges, on average more than 6,500 people brought discrimination charges up in the state of California each year within a five year span. If you believe that you are one of the thousands facing discrimination in your workplace, know that the law is on your side. Consider meeting with an attorney to discuss the aspects of your case. You may be entitled to compensation.