Common examples include being passed over for promotions due to your race, receiving different treatment in hiring decisions, facing racial slurs or offensive comments or being subjected to different workplace rules. Discrimination can also involve being excluded from meetings, training opportunities, or social events because of your racial background.
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(415) 444-5800Race & National Origin Discrimination
San Francisco Race & National Origin Discrimination Lawyer
Race, ethnicity, and country of origin are immutable characteristics. Individuals cannot alter the circumstances of their birth. Nor should anyone in the United States, a nation built by immigrants from all over the world, be made to feel unworthy because of those circumstances.
Race and national origin discrimination remain persistent problems in workplaces throughout California, despite decades of legal protections. From subtle bias in layoff decisions to outright ethnic slurs preceding a firing, discriminatory terminations can take many shapes. Recognizing the signs and knowing what legal options exist can make a real difference in your ability to obtain accountability.
At the Law Offices of Jeannette A. Vaccaro PC, we help former employees throughout California who were wrongfully terminated because of who they are. We understand what it takes to build a strong discrimination case, and we bring that experience to every client who walks through our door.
Who We Represent
Race and national origin discrimination can show up in many forms after termination, and the details of your situation matter a great deal to how your case unfolds. We often represent former employees whose experiences include the following:
- You were fired and replaced by someone of a different race or national origin. Your position was eliminated, or you were told your role was no longer needed, yet someone of a different race, ethnicity, or national origin was hired, transferred, or reassigned to do the same work shortly after.
- You were laid off while employees of another race or national origin kept their jobs. During a layoff, reduction in staff, or restructuring, you lost your position while similarly situated coworkers of a different race or national origin remained employed, particularly if they had comparable or lesser experience, seniority, or performance records.
- You were fired after a manager made racial or ethnic comments about you. Before your termination, a manager or decision-maker made remarks about your race, ethnicity, country of origin, immigrant background, name, or whether people like you belonged in the workplace, leaving you to question the real reason behind your firing.
Even if the circumstances surrounding your termination are different, we encourage you to reach out. Many individuals do not realize they have a valid discrimination claim until they speak with an experienced attorney.
Understanding Your Rights Under California Law
California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), along with the federal Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, prohibits employers from firing employees based on race, ethnicity, or national origin. California is an at-will employment state, meaning employers can generally terminate workers for almost any reason. That said, an employer can never legally terminate someone because of a protected characteristic like race or national origin.
California also offers specific protections that go beyond the basics. The state’s CROWN Act, for example, prohibits discrimination based on natural hair texture and protective hairstyles associated with race, including braids, locs, twists, and bantu knots. An employer cannot enforce a grooming policy that disproportionately affects employees of certain racial backgrounds, and firing someone over such a policy could constitute unlawful discrimination.
If you believe your termination was discriminatory, here’s what the process typically involves:
- Document everything you can remember. Write down the events leading up to your termination, including specific dates, conversations, and any witnesses. Gather your termination letter, performance reviews, emails, and any other relevant records.
- File a complaint with a government agency. Before filing a civil lawsuit in California, you generally need to submit a charge with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Deadlines for filing can be as short as 300 days from the date of your termination, so acting quickly matters.
- Obtain a right-to-sue notice. Once the agency issues this notice, you gain the ability to proceed with a civil lawsuit against your former employer.
- Work with an experienced employment attorney. Discrimination cases involve detailed legal standards and tight deadlines. Skilled legal representation can significantly strengthen your position throughout the process.
Every case looks different, and the specific evidence available to you will shape your options. That’s why an early conversation with an attorney familiar with California discrimination law can help clarify where you stand.
Reasons to Choose Our Firm
Discrimination cases require attorneys who understand both the legal standards involved and the personal toll this experience takes on former employees. Here’s what sets our firm apart:
- We represent employees only. Our firm never represents employers, so every resource and strategy in our office serves the people who come to us for help.
- Jeannette personally handles each case. Clients consistently describe Jeannette as thorough, responsive, and genuinely invested in their outcomes, not passed off to a team of unfamiliar associates.
- We have a proven history of results. Our settlements and awards in discrimination and wrongful termination cases range from $400,000 to $2 million, reflecting the seriousness with which we pursue every claim.
- We offer free, confidential case evaluations. You can discuss your situation with our attorney without any upfront cost or obligation.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
Race-based bias takes many forms at work and can affect anyone. If you believe you are being treated differently because you are not of the same race or ethnicity as your co-workers, or because of your immigrant status, we can help.
If you believe you were wrongfully terminated because of your race or national origin, contact the Law Offices of Jeannette A. Vaccaro PC today for a free, confidential case evaluation.
FAQs About Race Discrimination in California
Is my employer allowed to ban protective hairstyles?
No, California’s CROWN Act prohibits discrimination based on natural hair texture and protective hairstyles associated with race, including braids, locs, twists and bantu knots. Employers cannot enforce grooming policies that disproportionately impact employees of certain racial backgrounds.
Do I need to report race discrimination internally before filing a legal complaint?
While not legally required, reporting discrimination through your company’s internal procedures can potentially strengthen your case by establishing a clear record. However, if internal reporting doesn’t resolve the issue or if you face retaliation, you should consult with an experienced employment attorney.
What evidence can support my claim?
Evidence can include emails, text messages, witness statements, performance reviews and documentation of discriminatory patterns. Even circumstantial evidence, such as being treated differently than similarly situated employees of other races, can support your case.
Should I hire an attorney for my race discrimination case?
Yes, employment discrimination cases involve complex legal standards and procedures that require experienced legal representation. An attorney can help you navigate the legal process, gather evidence and maximize your potential recovery while protecting your rights throughout the case.
Think You May
Have A Case?
Jeannette is passionate about employee rights. She fights to shed light on injustices and to help her clients move beyond troubling times. Contact Jeannette today for a free case evaluation.
Jeannette A. Vaccaro is a Passionate and zealous advocate, representing employees in all facets of employment law.
Over
$20 MILLION
Recovered on Behalf of Employees
Think You May Have A Case?
Jeannette is passionate about employee rights. She fights to shed light on injustices and to help her clients move beyond troubling times. Contact Jeannette today for a free case evaluation.
$2,000,000
Settlement after arbitration in a disability discrimination case involving a tech worker.
$1,822,000
Settlement after successful jury verdict in disability discrimination case.
$1,021,000
Arbitration award in race harassment and discrimination suit.
$924,000
Arbitration award obtained on behalf of employee terminated on account of his national origin.
$800,000
Settlement on behalf of a janitor in a medical leave retaliation case.
$475,000
Settlement for employee that was retaliated against on account of reporting discrimination.
$425,000
Settlement for employee discriminated against on account of her gender.
$425,000
Pre-litigation settlement for victim of race & national origin discrimination.
$400,000
Settlement negotiated in a gender discrimination case.
What Our Clients Say
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