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What Should Employees Do If They’re Facing Gender Discrimination? 

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What Should Employees Do If They’re Facing Gender Discrimination? 

Gender discrimination in the workplace is a pervasive injustice that affects employees across industries and roles. It takes many forms, including unequal pay, biased hiring decisions, microaggressions, stereotypes, offensive remarks and hostile work environments. Understanding your rights as an employee empowers you to safeguard your career and well-being. At the Law Office of Jeannette A. Vaccaro, we believe everyone deserves to work in a safe and equitable environment. If you’re facing gender discrimination, here are steps you can take to protect yourself and assert your legal rights.

Document the Incidents in Detail

One of the most important actions you can take is keeping a detailed record of all incidents of discrimination. Include dates, times, locations, names of individuals involved and a description of what happened. For example, if you’ve been denied a promotion due to your gender or received derogatory comments from a colleague, write down exactly what was said and who witnessed it.

Be sure to save relevant emails, messages or other forms of communication that support your claims. Keep these records on a personal device, not your employer’s, so they are secure and accessible should you need them as evidence later.

Report the Mistreatment

If it feels safe to do so, report the discrimination to your employer. Start with your immediate supervisor or Human Resources (HR). Filing an internal complaint demonstrates that you have made an effort to address the issue within the company. Provide a written account of your concerns, supporting them with the documentation you’ve gathered. If the report is submitted verbally, follow up with an email summarizing the conversation.

Keep copies of all communications during this process, including responses from HR or management. This paper trail can be valuable if you need to pursue legal action later.

Understand Legal Protections Against Gender Discrimination

Federal and state laws provide robust protections against discrimination based on gender, gender identity or sexual orientation. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits workplace discrimination involving hiring, firing, promotions, pay or other employment conditions. Retaliation against employees for reporting discrimination is also illegal.

California employees benefit from even stronger protections under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which applies to employers with five or more employees. FEHA covers discrimination based on sex, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation, among other factors. Understanding these laws is critical to determining whether your employer’s actions amount to unlawful discrimination.

File a Complaint or Legal Action with the Help of an Attorney

If internal complaints with your employer do not resolve the issue, filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) may be the next step. However, workplace discrimination claims often involve tight legal deadlines.

Navigating this legal process on your own can be overwhelming. Speaking with an experienced employment attorney can help protect your rights and guide you through the stages of filing a complaint. 

Contact the Law Office of Jeannette A. Vaccaro

Facing gender discrimination can feel isolating and overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. At the Law Office of Jeannette A. Vaccaro, we passionately advocate for employee rights. With experience handling workplace discrimination cases, we will work tirelessly to seek justice and help you rebuild your professional life.

If you believe you’ve been a victim of gender discrimination, contact us today for a consultation. Together, we can take action to protect your rights and hold discriminatory employers accountable.

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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.

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