Orange County
Employment Lawyers
Everyone has the right to feel safe in the workplace, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Sometimes, employers treat their employees unfairly or unethically based on certain personal characteristics, and these types of discriminatory practices can lead to loss of benefits or wages, higher levels of stress, or loss of opportunities or advancements. Oftentimes, human resources simply don’t provide a solution.
Many workers who experience unfair or discriminatory treatment don’t understand the rights they have in the workplace or are scared to stand up to their employers. For these reasons, the attorneys at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates are dedicated to helping those who have been victims of mistreatment or discrimination in the workplace.
If you believe that you are the victim of workplace discrimination, the team at Samer Habbas & Associates can help. Their strong network of employment attorneys in California will help fight for your rights. To learn more or schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our attorneys, please call 888-848-5084.
What is Workplace Discrimination?
Employees who are victims of unethical workplace practices may not know the rights they have or may be entirely unaware that they are being treated unfairly. Discriminatory labor practices may include the following:
- Wrongful termination – There are federal and state laws that protect employees from being terminated for the wrong reasons. Examples would include termination based on discrimination or as a form of retaliation.
- Harassment – Harassment can take many different forms but is always a serious issue in the workplace. Verbal, physical, or sexual harassment is intolerable.
- Discrimination – Discriminatory practices by an employer based on race, gender, age, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristics are, in many circumstances, illegal.
- Wage discrimination – Given California minimum wage laws and other wage and hour laws employers must follow, it is frequently the case the employees get the short end of the stick. Wage discrimination can occur based on gender, race, and socio-economic status, among others.
- A decrease in pay or reduced benefits – a decrease in wages or the reduction of benefits based on discrimination against an employee’s personal characteristics is not acceptable in the workplace.
- Failure to accommodate – EEOC laws require that employers make accommodations for their employees for certain religious or medical reasons. These accommodations may include a leave of absence, an adjusted work schedule, or reassignment.
- Employer retaliation – Employers are prohibited by law from retaliating against any employees for engaging in legally protected rights such as whistleblowing illegal activities.
- Failure to hire – It is considered discriminatory to fail to hire an applicant based on race, gender, disability, religion, or any other personal characteristics.
You may be a victim of employment discrimination if your race, gender, age, disability, nationality, pregnancy, or religion appear to play a role in vital decisions that your employer makes. If you believe that any of the above-listed factors play a role in workplace decisions such as promotions, performance reviews, raises, shift assignments, demotions, or terminations, then you have the right to fight against your employer for unfair treatment. Employers are prohibited from discriminating against an employee for any of the above-listed factors, any unfair treatment can and should be compensated for.
At the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates, our network of employment attorneys understand the complicated laws that revolve around unfair treatment in the workplace and can help you find a resolution for your suffering. Whether your claim is regarding sexual harassment, wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, or anything in between, we can connect you with an experienced employment attorney who can assist with your case.
Filing an Employment Discrimination Claim in California
If you think that you have been treated unfairly by your employer, you can call us for a free consultation. A professional attorney will be able to tell you whether or not you might be entitled to reparations for your unethical treatment. You should be prepared by gathering any necessary documents or information that can help your legal team to build a case against your employer. Information such as time cards, emails, or other forms of communication can be very helpful. From there, your assigned legal team will then investigate the details of your case and gather any necessary evidence. Your attorney will then negotiate to get you the compensation that you are entitled to.
Please note that, according to California law, your employer cannot terminate you for filing a legal claim against them. This would be considered an illegal retaliation.
Contact an Experienced Employment Labor Law Attorney
If you or a loved one has experienced employment issues, you should discuss your legal options with an attorney as you may be entitled to compensation. The trial lawyers at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates and their network of talented labor law attorneys will advocate for your full financial recovery through hard work and an aggressive approach. With multiple offices located in Irvine, Anaheim, Los Angeles, El Segundo, San Diego and Riverside, our personal injury lawyers represent employment discrimination victims throughout California. We have successful recoveries in San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco, Stockton, Merced and other cities throughout Northern and Central California. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our attorneys, please call 888-848-5084.
What counts as wrongful termination under California law?
California is an at-will employment state, which means your employer can let you go for almost any reason — but not all reasons. If you were fired because of your race, gender, age, disability, religion, pregnancy, or sexual orientation, or because you reported illegal activity (whistleblowing), filed a workers’ comp claim, or took protected medical leave, that’s wrongful termination and it’s illegal. At the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates, we handle wrongful termination claims for workers across Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, and Anaheim, and we’ll tell you in a free consultation whether you have a case.
How long do I have to file an employment discrimination claim in California?
The deadline depends on which agency you file with. If you’re filing with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), you generally have three years from the date of the discriminatory act. If you plan to file with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the deadline is 300 days. These deadlines apply whether you work in Irvine, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, or anywhere else in Southern California. Missing the deadline permanently bars your claim, so don’t wait — call us for a free case review.
Can my employer retaliate against me for filing a workplace discrimination complaint?
No — California law strictly prohibits employer retaliation. Under FEHA (the Fair Employment and Housing Act) and federal law, your employer cannot fire you, demote you, cut your hours, change your schedule, or create a hostile work environment because you filed a complaint or reported discrimination. If any of those things happen after you speak up, that retaliation itself becomes a separate legal claim. Our employment attorneys serve workers throughout Orange County, the Los Angeles metro area, Riverside County, and San Diego County.
What is the difference between harassment and a hostile work environment?
Harassment is unwanted conduct based on a protected characteristic — things like offensive comments, slurs, unwanted touching, or sexual advances. A hostile work environment is what happens when that harassment is severe or pervasive enough that it changes the conditions of your employment and a reasonable person would find it abusive. Both are illegal under California and federal law. You don’t have to wait until the situation becomes unbearable — if it’s affecting your ability to do your job, contact our team serving Anaheim, Culver City, El Segundo, and beyond.
Does California law protect me from wage discrimination?
Yes, and California has some of the strongest wage protections in the country. Your employer cannot pay you less than a coworker doing the same job based on gender, race, or ethnicity under the California Equal Pay Act. Additionally, all employees in California are entitled to proper minimum wage, overtime pay, meal breaks, and rest periods under California Labor Code. If you’re being shortchanged on wages — whether you work in Orange County, Riverside, San Diego, or Phoenix — our team can review your pay records for free and tell you if you’re owed back wages.
What documentation should I gather before calling an employment attorney?
The stronger your documentation, the stronger your case. Before your free consultation with our team, gather anything you have: performance reviews, pay stubs, emails or text messages from your employer or HR, written warnings, your employment contract or employee handbook, any records of complaints you filed internally, and a written timeline of events. If you experienced discrimination or harassment at a workplace in Los Angeles, Riverside, Anaheim, or San Diego, our attorneys will walk you through exactly what’s needed when you call 888-848-5084.
Can I sue my employer if I was wrongfully denied a promotion or raise?
Yes. If you were passed over for a promotion, raise, or advancement opportunity because of your race, gender, age, disability, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic, that qualifies as employment discrimination under California’s FEHA and federal Title VII. You don’t have to be fired to have a valid claim — discriminatory treatment in compensation, assignments, and career growth is actionable. Our employment law network serves clients across Southern California, including Orange County, Los Angeles, Culver City, El Segundo, and Riverside.
How much does it cost to hire an employment lawyer at Samer Habbas & Associates?
Your initial consultation is completely free. Employment discrimination and wrongful termination cases are typically handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless we win your case. Our firm has offices across Southern California — in Irvine, Anaheim, Los Angeles, El Segundo, Riverside, and San Diego — so there’s always a location near you. Call 888-848-5084 anytime to speak with our team at no cost.
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