Workplace Discrimination in San Jose, CA

Discrimination is an all-too-familiar scenario for many in the workplace. Likewise, it is also the most common type of workplace lawsuit that workers file. An experienced San Jose, California workplace discrimination attorney can help. Find out how.

What Is Workplace Discrimination?

Discrimination in the workplace deals with unfair treatment. These laws can vary, depending on factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, physical qualities, or age. Workplace discrimination can occur between employees or between employers and existing or prospective employees.

San Jose, California Labor laws make some types of workplace discrimination illegal. If illegal discrimination occurs, workers may be able to file a workplace discrimination lawsuit. A worker does not need to currently have employment from a company to face qualifying acts of discrimination. For instance, say the company chose not to hire someone. If it’s because of a qualifying characteristic, the individual may be able to file a claim.

Here are some of the most common types of discrimination that occur in the San Jose, CA work environment:

• Choosing not to hire someone because of their disability
• Choosing not to promote someone because of their race
• Excluding someone from a project because management says they’re too old
• Making misogynistic comments about women
• Deliberately paying men more than women because the boss values their work more

Should You File a Complaint With the HR Department or the EEOC?

Most San Jose, CA companies have a human resources department and discrimination in the workplace falls within their portfolio. For that reason, raising concerns with the appropriate HR representative may include filing a written report, a possible sit-down interview, and an investigation.

Sometimes a company does not have a human resources department and there are no policies in place. To resolve the issue, you might take your concerns directly to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. They can assist you in investigating the claim and possibly filing a lawsuit.

Workplace Fairness California states that once you file your claim in San Jose, your employer will receive a copy of the claim within 10 days. The EEOC will decide whether to investigate, dismiss, or mediate your claim. If an investigation occurs they will gather the appropriate documents and witness testimony to ascertain the exact events. Then, if they find discrimination has taken place they will attempt to reach a settlement. If they do not find discrimination they will present you with a “Notice of Right to Sue”.

What Laws Protect Against Discrimination in the Workplace?

There are federal workplace discrimination laws that help to protect employees. On a federal level, San Jose employees have protections from discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. However, many states have even stronger laws that offer additional protections.

Let’s use an example. California is the first state where ethnic hair and the right to wear it naturally became a right with protections. In other states, employers may discriminate against natural hair because it is part of racial discrimination. 

The California Legislature has permanently outlawed discrimination in employment, educational, housing, or public space settings. No employee in San Jose can be terminated, demoted, or be given less desirable work based on protected characteristics of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, or religion. It is also illegal to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

This specifically prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of race, religion, sex, color, or national origin. It typically applies to organizations with 15 or more employees. It also applies to schools (both public and private) and labor organizations. The EEOC’s primary responsibility is enforcing this law.

The Unruh Civil Rights Act prevents discrimination against any San Jose consumer based upon a protected characteristic. In addition, no business can discriminate against an individual because of citizenship status or lack of mastery of the English language.

2025 Executive Orders

On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump enacted an executive order that significantly altered workplace discrimination policies, particularly for businesses with federal contracts. This directive repealed Executive Order 11246, originally signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965 to prevent federal contractors from making employment decisions based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

While this change primarily affects federal contractors, it may also have broader implications for private businesses, including those in San Jose, CA. As a major hub for the technology and aerospace industries—sectors that frequently engage in federal contracting—many San Jose-based employers may now reassess their diversity and inclusion initiatives. Without federal DEI mandates, some businesses in the area may choose to scale back or modify these programs to align with evolving federal policies.

Despite these shifts at the federal level, workplace discrimination protections remain intact. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 continues to prohibit employment discrimination nationwide, and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) ensures that workers in San Jose and throughout the state still have strong legal avenues to challenge workplace bias and unfair treatment.

Other Notable Applicable Federal Discrimination Laws

• Equal Pay Act (EPA) – Deals with equal pay act for men and women
• Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) – Protects workers aged 40 and over
• Americans with Disabilities Act – Protects employees with physical disabilities

Examples of State Workplace Discrimination Laws

• The Crown Act– protects employees from discrimination against hairstyle in relation to race or ethnicity.

• Fair Employment and Housing Act– Prohibits discrimination and protects those who object to any practice that violates the FEHA.

What Is the Workplace Discrimination Process Like?

Filing a claim for workplace discrimination in San Jose, California can be a tricky process given the number of potential laws in play. This is especially the case when the characteristics with protections only qualify under state law. The EEOC enforces federal workplace discrimination laws. In some cases, individual state labor departments handle the claims that only qualify under state law.

Filing a Claim

When it comes to federal claims, workers have about 180 days to file, to remain within the statute of limitations. Time is of the essence with discrimination claims. It’s a good idea to hire a discrimination lawyer to help from the beginning.

San Jose, CA claimants also need to provide some basic information with their claim. Depending on the agency, the employer’s name, the name(s) of involved parties, and a description of the incident. It will also include the contact information for everyone with involvement in the issue.

Once the investigation has begun, the agency may request more information. They generally give you ample time and opportunity to produce said information if this happens.

Investigating the Claim

The investigation may involve interviewing the San Jose employee, employer, other employees at the same place of business. However, it may also include anyone else who may have relevant information. The agency determines that the claim is valid and discrimination did, in fact, take place. The next step is generally to work for settlement or mediation. For this reason, both parties may have an incentive to work out a compromise.

Still, it might be necessary to file a lawsuit with the appropriate court. This is especially true if the parties cannot reach a settlement on the employee’s behalf. If that’s the case, an attorney issues what is known as a “Right To Sue” letter. This letter gives the employee suffering from discrimination the right to sue on their own accord.

The Federal EEOC states that residents of San Jose can file an appeal if you are dissatisfied with the conclusion reached regarding your claim. However, you must file this appeal within 30 days of the decision being made. You can submit an appeal using the Public Portal on the EEOC website, or by mail.

Work With an Experienced Workplace Discrimination Lawyer In San Jose, California

Consider hiring a San Jose lawyer who specializes in discrimination as soon as the incident takes place. Experts often recommend that you resolve the issue internally through the proper HR channels. On the other hand, many employers mishandle these cases.

If you are considering a lawsuit an attorney becomes even more necessary. San Jose, CA discrimination attorneys can help you with the paperwork, prepare you for depositions, and find corroborating witnesses to support your claim.

If the court rules in your favor, you might become entitled to several different compensatory benefits:

• Back pay
• Promotion
• Reinstatement
• Front pay
• Reasonable accommodations
• Payment of attorneys’ fees, court costs, and expert witness fees

Are you ready to find out if you are eligible for these benefits in San Jose? Start with a case review.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!

About the Author

Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.

With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.