When Sex and Gender Discrimination Plague Employees, Our Los Angeles Attorneys Protect Them
Sex discrimination is still a large issue in the United States
Gender discrimination is not ancient history. Statistics show that for the past 15 years, the number of sex discrimination charges brought before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has remained relatively stable. In fact, in 2012, the number increased by nearly 2,000 — to 30,356 complaints — from the year before.
At The Ruttenberg Law Firm, PC in Los Angeles, we promote gender equality in the workplace by ensuring the enforcement of discrimination laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Equal Pay Act (EPA), on behalf of our clients. We use our skill and experience to defend employees who face the following:
- Discrimination based on gender
- Discrimination based on gender identity, including sexual orientation
- Discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition
Promotion and employment issues on the basis of gender
The law forbids discrimination in the workplace, including situations where the employer perpetrates or allows gender harassment or sexual harassment to occur. Employers may promote men more frequently and on a different basis than women because of gender bias. There may be a belief that a woman is less capable than a man or that a woman’s place is in the home. Female employees are not the only victims of discrimination. Men can also be victims and may be denied family and medical leave or other benefit because of a gender stereotype.
Equal pay for equal work
Under federal and California equal pay laws, employers cannot discriminate on the basis of gender with regard to wages, including the provision of minimum wages. The law provides for equal pay for equal work. At the Los Angeles firm of The Ruttenberg Law Firm, PC, we recover compensation for clients when equal pay has been denied. An employer who violates equal pay laws — and who cannot prove that a pay differential is based on merit or seniority rather than gender — may be liable for damages. Compensation to the victim may include wage differential plus interest, and damages equal to the total amount of lost wages.
Contact an experienced L.A. lawyer to help obtain the pay you deserve
When gender discrimination affects hiring, promoting or remunerating, our attorneys at The Ruttenberg Law Firm, PC fight for justice on your behalf. Because we are dedicated to fighting unfair employment practices, we provide our services on a contingency fee basis. To learn whether you have a claim and how we can help, contact us online or call (310) 979-7080 today for a free initial consultation at our Los Angeles firm. We are conveniently located near UCLA.