San Diego Sex Discrimination Lawyer

Protecting workers from sex discrimination in the workplace has been a goal of laws dating back to the 1960s. However, at that time, the notion that was being contemplated was that women should not be treated differently in the workplace. Today, our society’s understanding of sex is broader and more nuanced, so the topic of sex may extend to a person’s sex at birth, gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. If you believe that you were discriminated against because of one of these characteristics, reach out to the San Diego employment lawyers at Coyle Browne Law, PLC for help. We can discuss your case during a confidential consultation.

Sex Discrimination Rights in Employment

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and other recognized employment laws provide a host of rights to people that prohibit discrimination in employment related to a person’s actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Collectively, these laws provide for workers to be free of discrimination based on these characteristics, which may include:

• Failing to hire, demoting, failing to promote, or terminating workers
• Offering worse benefits, job assignments, training, fringe benefits, or other terms or conditions of employment
• Harassing an applicant or employee or permitting a hostile work environment to form
• Treating an applicant or employee unfavorably
• Making unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, jokes, or offensive remarks
• Maintaining an employment policy that applies to all workers that has a negative impact on the employment of people of a certain sex, when such policy is not job-related or necessary to operate the business
• Discriminating against workers who recently “came out” at work or transitioned on the job
• Prohibiting employees from using the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity
• Asking about an applicant’s gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation
• Treating an employee or applicant less favorably because they associate with a member of the LGBTQ+ community
• Denying gender-affirming care
• Excluding coverage for a same-sex spouse or registered domestic partner
• Taking adverse employment action against a worker for complaining about sex discrimination in the workplace

What to Do If You Suspect Sex Discrimination

If you believe that you are a victim of sex discrimination in the workplace, there are steps you can take to protect your rights, including:

• Taking detailed notes about what actions have occurred, when they occurred, who was present, and what was said
• Saving any relevant correspondence, including memos, emails, or texts
• Expressing your discomfort with the situation to your supervisor and/or human resources department
• Following your company’s grievance procedure
• Contacting a knowledgeable employment law attorney for help
• Filing a complaint with the appropriate government agency

Contact a Sex Discrimination Lawyer

You deserve to be able to work and earn a living regardless of your gender identity or sexual orientation. You also deserve to work in an environment where you feel respected and valued. If you believe your employer has committed sex discrimination against you, reach out to the compassionate legal team at Coyle Browne, PLC for help. Contact us today to get started.