Here are the main types of employment discrimination covered under California law:
- Race and Color Discrimination: Discrimination based on an individual’s race or skin color.
- National Origin and Ancestry Discrimination: Discrimination based on an individual’s birthplace, ethnicity, culture, or linguistic characteristics.
- Sex and Gender Discrimination: This includes discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, as well as pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions.
- Religious Discrimination: Discrimination based on an individual’s religious beliefs or practices.
- Age Discrimination: Discrimination against individuals who are 40 years of age or older.
- Disability Discrimination: Discrimination based on physical or mental disability. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities.
- Medical Condition Discrimination: Discrimination based on a medical condition, which includes genetic characteristics and certain health conditions.
- Sexual Orientation Discrimination: Discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation, whether they are heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual.
- Gender Identity and Gender Expression Discrimination: Discrimination based on an individual’s gender identity or gender expression.
- Genetic Information Discrimination: Discrimination based on genetic information, including information about an individualโs genetic tests and the genetic tests of an individualโs family members.
- Military and Veteran Status Discrimination: Discrimination based on an individual’s military service or veteran status.
Employers are also prohibited from retaliating against employees who oppose discriminatory practices, file a discrimination complaint, or participate in an investigation or lawsuit regarding discrimination.
