Under the California employment discrimination law for employee rights, residents of this state are afforded a few more protections than in other jurisdictions. The California employment discrimination law for employee rights ensures that people are free to find gainful employment and enjoy it as long as they are pulling their weight.
The California employment discrimination law for employee rights is enforced by the Department of Fair Employment and Housing within this state. The statutes are meant to protect employees from both harassment and discrimination.
In general, the California employment discrimination law for employee rights protects employees from discrimination and harassment in regard to several things. These include race, religion, color, marital status, sexual orientation, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age and disability. The agency also oversees claims in regard to denial of family or medical leave, pregnancy leave and reasonable accommodations for disabilities.
The California employment discrimination law for employee rights applies to most employers within the state, particularly those with 50 or more employees. Its specific provisions include:
Prohibiting the limitation or use of language within a workplace unless it is necessary for business. This means an employee from another country is allowed under law to speak in their native tongue unless English is demanded for business purposes.
Requiring employers to ensure that employees have reasonable accommodations for disabilities and illnesses. This can include, but is not limited to, special chairs, desks, ramps and other devices that can enable an employee to properly perform duties at hand.
Requiring employers to allow leaves of up to four months for such things as medical conditions, childbirth or pregnancy.
Requiring employers to make workplaces harassment-free zones. This relates to all forms of workplace harassment including hostile work environment, sexual discrimination and more.
Outlawing the use of discriminatory hiring practices. This means that hiring must be based on qualifications and merits and not prohibited criteria, such as race, color or religion.
Prohibiting the use of retaliation when a complaint has or is going to be filed.
Provides for fines and compensation for employees who have been discriminated against. The law allows such things as reinstatement, attorney fees, back pay and even front pay and ordered promotions.
The California employment discrimination law for employee rights is a bit more stringent than federal regulations in some regards. The law specifically points to a few areas some federal statutes do not. The long and the short of the California employment discrimination law for employee rights, however, boils down to the same thing. Employees have a right to work and employers do not have a right to discriminate based on anything other than qualifications and performance.
