Workplace discrimination can quietly disrupt your career before you fully realize what is happening. Opportunities disappear, discipline becomes uneven, and workplace dynamics shift in ways that feel targeted and unfair.
If you are searching for a racial discrimination lawyer in El Monte, it may be because you suspect your employer’s actions go beyond ordinary workplace conflict. At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, we represent employees facing unlawful treatment based on race, ethnicity, or national origin.
As El Monte employment lawyers, we understand how these cases can affect both your professional stability and personal well-being. With more than 14 offices across California, our team is positioned to assist employees throughout the region with experienced and strategic legal guidance.
Steps to Take if You Experience Racial Bias at Work
If you believe you are experiencing racial discrimination, the actions you take early on can significantly impact your ability to pursue a claim. Being proactive helps preserve evidence and assist in the process of documenting your claim.
Consider taking the following steps:
- Document incidents: Write down specific dates, times, locations, what was said or done, and who witnessed the conduct.
- Preserve communication: Save emails, text messages, performance reviews, and any written complaints you submitted.
- Follow internal procedures: Report the conduct according to your employer’s policies when it is safe to do so.
- Seek legal guidance: Speak with a racial discrimination attorney in El Monte before signing severance agreements or other legal documents.
Even if you are unsure whether the behavior qualifies as unlawful discrimination, consulting with a racial discrimination law firm in El Monte can provide an evaluation of your options under California law.
Warning Signs of Race-Based Discrimination at Work
Workplace tension alone does not necessarily mean discrimination is occurring. The concern arises when the treatment becomes a pattern. If one employee is consistently held to a different standard or treated differently after speaking up, the conduct may go beyond ordinary management issues.
Here are some things we look for:
- Unproportional discipline: One employee is formally reprimanded while others engaging in similar behavior are not.
- Unequal pay: Employees in comparable roles are paid differently without a legitimate business reason.
- Exclusion from opportunities: Advancement, training, or leadership assignments consistently go to others despite similar qualifications.
- Racially charged statements: Statements referencing race or ethnicity become part of the workplace dynamic, often framed as jokes.
- Retaliation after complaints: Negative job actions occur soon after discrimination is reported.
If you’ve experienced racial discrimination, give us a call. We can review the facts and determine whether your employer’s actions violate California or even federal law
(310) 526-8383The Difference Between Harassment and Discrimination
Discrimination typically involves tangible employment actions, such as hiring decisions, promotions, pay, job assignments, or termination. Harassment, on the other hand, refers to unwelcome conduct based on race or another protected characteristic that creates a hostile or offensive work environment.
Under California Government Code Section 12940, part of the Fair Employment and Housing Act, employers are prohibited from engaging in both discrimination and harassment based on race. The law applies to employers with five or more employees and provides strong protections for workers throughout El Monte and Los Angeles County.
In some cases, an employee may experience both. For example, racial comments from a supervisor may accompany a demotion or denial of promotion. A racial discrimination law firm in El Monte can assess the conduct to identify potential legal claims based on the facts.
What to Expect After Filing With the Civil Rights Department
Before filing a lawsuit under California law, employees generally must file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. This administrative step is a critical part of the legal process.
After filing, several outcomes are possible:
- Investigation: The agency may review the complaint and request information from the employer.
- Mediation: The parties may be offered an opportunity to resolve the dispute through voluntary mediation.
- Right to sue notice: The department may issue a notice allowing you to proceed with a civil lawsuit.
- Litigation: If the matter is not resolved administratively, a lawsuit may be filed in court.
Each stage involves strategic decisions that can affect the direction of your case. As a racial discrimination attorney in El Monte, we prepare every claim with the expectation that it may proceed to litigation, even while exploring opportunities for the resolution of your claim.
Contact a Racial Discrimination Attorney in El Monte Today
You’ve worked hard for your career, and racial discrimination can quickly undermine your professional growth. Speaking out against workplace discrimination is more than just filing paperwork; it takes careful documentation, knowledge of employment law, and a legal strategy developed to address your specific situation.
At Omega Law Group, we are committed to putting our clients first. Always. We handle employment discrimination cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorneys’ fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
If you need guidance from a racial discrimination lawyer in El Monte, contact our team today to discuss your situation and learn how we can help you move forward.
