Lawsuits for Medical Discrimination in The California Workplace

It is against the law for an employer to discriminate against a person because of a medical condition. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodation to employees with a medical condition, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.

Employees who suffer unlawful medical discrimination can file a lawsuit against their employer for damages.

Below, our California labor and employment law attorneys discuss the following frequently asked questions about lawsuits for discrimination against California workers based on medical condition:

Supervisor going over charts with a staff member

The laws against discrimination based on medical conditions also apply to perceived medical conditions or disabilities.

If you have further questions after reading this article, we invite you to contact us at Shouse Law Group.

1. Can an employer in California refuse to hire someone with a certain medical condition?

In most cases, it is unlawful in California for an employer to refuse to hire an applicant because of his or her medical condition or perceived medical condition. Employment discrimination based on a medical condition is a violation of California state and federal law.

Employers may have preconceived ideas about an individual’s abilities based on fears or stereotypes about an individual’s medical condition. Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), it is illegal for an employer to discriminate against an individual based on a medical condition.¹

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also protects applicants and employees from employment discrimination based on a

medical condition,
physical disability, or
mental disability.²

The ADA and other employment anti-discrimination laws protect qualified individuals from discrimination based on medical conditions. A “qualified individual” means someone who can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without a reasonable accommodation.³

The ADA and California law also protect employees with medical conditions from discrimination in the workplace. It is a violation for an employer to treat an employee less favorably because he or she has a history of medical conditions, or is believed to have a limiting medical condition.

Under the FEHA, it is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discriminate against a person because of his or her medical condition, in any aspect of employment. This includes:

Refusing to hire or employ
Refusing to select a person for a training program
Firing, bearing, or discharging an employee
Discriminating against a person in compensation or in terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.⁴

Employers are required by law to evaluate job applicants without regard to their actual or perceived medical conditions. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodation to an employee or applicant, unless it would cause undue hardship for the employer. Undue hardship is considered a significant difficulty or expense.⁵

Medical condition discrimination is prohibited in any aspect of employment or hiring, including:

Refusing to provide a reasonable accommodation
Refusing to engage in a timely, good-faith interactive process with employees in need of a reasonable accommodation
Refusing to hire
Refusing to select for a training program
Demotion
Reduced pay
Deny a promotion
Deny reinstatement
Deny benefits
Forcing an employee to quit
Harassment
Assign different duties
Discrimination in any way

Perceived Medical Condition

The laws against discrimination based on medical condition also apply to perceived medical conditions or disabilities. An individual with a certain medical condition may have no impairment or no limiting impairment. It is not a defense to discrimination if the employer was wrong about the individual’s actual medical condition.

For example, an employer may refuse to give a job to an applicant who, the employer was told had a history of HIV or AIDs. Later, the employer learns that the information was incorrect and the employee did not have any significant medical conditions. The employer may still have violated the laws against employment discrimination based on the applicant’s perceived medical condition.

The laws against medical condition discrimination are not limited to employers, they also apply to unions and labor organizations, which are prohibited from excluding, expelling, or restricting membership to a person based on national origin.⁶ Medical condition discrimination prohibitions also apply to apprenticeship training programs and employment agencies.⁷⁸

2. What types of medical conditions are protected from discrimination?

Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), a “medical condition” means any of the following:

Any health impairment related to or associated with a diagnosis of cancer or a record or history of cancer.
Genetic characteristics. For purposes of this section, “genetic characteristics” means either of the following:
1. Any scientifically or medically identifiable gene or chromosome, or combination or alteration thereof, that is known to be a cause of a disease or disorder in a person or his or her offspring, or that is determined to be associated with a statistically increased risk of development of a disease or disorder, and that is presently not associated with any symptoms of any disease or disorder.
2. Inherited characteristics that may derive from the individual or family member, that are known to be a cause of a disease or disorder in a person or his or her offspring, or that are determined to be associated with a statistically increased risk of development of a disease or disorder, and that are presently not associated with any symptoms of any disease or disorder.⁹

Genetic conditions include genes or chromosomes that indicate a higher risk of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. An employer may discriminate against an employee with a genetic condition because the employer thinks the employee will need medical time off or leave.

Medical conditions may also overlap with mental or physical disabilities. A “mental disability” includes, but is not limited to, any mental or psychological disorder or condition that limits a major life activity. Limitations are determined without regard to mediation, assistive devices, or reasonable accommodations.¹⁰

Mental disabilities may include chronic diseases or medical conditions, such as:

Bipolar disorder
Clinical depression
Schizophrenia
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Anxiety disorder
Dementia
Intellectual disabilities
Specific learning disabilities

A “physical disability” includes disfigurements or diseases that affect the body and limit major life activities. This includes:

Physiological disease
Disorder
Condition
Cosmetic disfigurement
Anatomical loss ¹¹

Physical disabilities include permanent and temporary conditions, including:

Impaired eyesight
Impaired hearing
Impaired speech
Chronic diseases
Hepatitis
HIV/AIDs
Diabetes
Loss of a limb
Cancer
Pregnancy and childbirth

3. Can my employer require me to take a medical exam for my job?

Employers cannot ask the applicant to take a medical or psychological exam if other prospective employees are not also required to take such exams, or if the examination is not job-related and consistent with business necessity.

Improper interview or application questions may be a sign of potential medical condition discrimination violations. This includes questions about an individual’s:

General health
Medical condition
Mental disability
Physical disability
Requiring a psychological/medical examination of any applicant when not consistent with business necessary

Employers may not ask a job applicant to answer medical questions or take a medical exam before being offered a job. However, an employer may ask job applicants if they can perform the essential functions of the job and how they would perform the job duties.

After an applicant is offered a job, the employer can condition the job on the applicant passing a medical exam or answering medical questions only if all new employees in a similar job function have to answer these questions or take a medical exam.

An employer can only ask an employee medical questions or require a medical exam if:

The employer believes the employee is not able to perform a job successfully or safely because of a medical condition; or
The employer needs medical documentation to support the employee’s request for a reasonable accommodation.

An employer must keep all medical records and employee medical information confidential and in separate medical files.

4. What is a reasonable accommodation for workers in the workplace?

Employers must provide “reasonable accommodation” for applicants and employees who are unable to perform the essential functions of the job because of a medical condition.¹²

Employers must also engage in a timely, good-faith interactive process with employees in need of a reasonable accommodation. This is to determine whether a reasonable accommodation would allow the applicant or employee to complete the necessary functions to perform the job.¹³

A reasonable accommodation is any measure that would allow the employee or applicant to perform the essential job functions. This could include:

Restructuring the job
Modifying work schedules
Part-time scheduling
Reassignment to a vacant position
Adjustments to training materials
Providing readers or interpreters
Modifying equipment
Modifying work policies
Allowing a service dog to support the employee¹⁴¹⁵

An employer must provide reasonable accommodations to an employee with a medical condition unless the employer would produce “undue hardship.” Undue hardship means the accommodation would require significant difficulty or expense.¹⁶

In determining undue hardship, a number of factors are taken into consideration, including:

The nature and cost of the accommodation needed.
The overall financial resources of the facilities involved in the provision of the reasonable accommodations, the number of persons employed at the facility, and the effect on expenses and resources or the impact otherwise of these accommodations upon the operation of the facility.
The overall financial resources of the covered entity, the overall size of the business of a covered entity with respect to the number of employees, and the number, type, and location of its facilities.
The type of operations, including the composition, structure, and functions of the workforce of the entity.
The geographic separateness or administrative or fiscal relationship of the facility or facilities.¹⁷

5. Should I file a complaint with the EEOC?

Medical condition discrimination in the workplace is a violation of California state law and federal law. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces federal ADA disability discrimination laws. The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) is the state agency that handles complaints of disability or medical condition discrimination.

Before filing a discrimination complaint with the EEOC, an employee may want to work with a supervisor to resolve the issue. The employee could also contact the employer’s human resources representative or reasonable accommodation coordinator. If there is still no resolution, the employee can file a complaint with the EEOC or the CRD.

In some cases, California law offers broader protections for anti-discrimination cases than federal law. For example, California medical condition discrimination laws apply to employers with at least 5 employees. However, the ADA may only apply to employers with at least 15 employees. For this reason, some people in California prefer to file a medical condition discrimination complaint with the CRD rather than the EEOC.

If an employee wants to file a lawsuit against his or her employer for medical condition discrimination in California, the employee is usually required to exhaust all administrative remedies first. This may mean the employee has to go through the CRD complaint process before they can file a lawsuit. However, your attorney may file a complaint with the CRD and obtain an immediate right to sue notice without waiting for the administrative process first.¹⁸

You can file a medical condition discrimination complaint directly with the CRD. In general, you must submit a pre-complaint inquiry within three years of the last incident of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. However, there are exceptions to this time limit, such as where the individual did not learn about the unlawful practice until after the expiration of three years.¹⁹

The complaint can be filed online, by phone, or using the form from the CRD website. The pre-complaint inquiry will initiate an intake interview with the CRD and help determine whether a complaint can be accepted for investigation.

An investigator will contact the individual who filed the complaint within 60 days and discuss the details of the alleged discrimination or harassment. If the CRD representative determines the state will not handle the complaint, the matter will be dismissed, and the individual has the immediate right to sue their employer in court. If the representative accepts the pre-complaint inquiry, a complaint will be prepared for your signature and delivered to the employer. The complaint can also be dual-filed with the EEOC at this point.

After the employer responds to the complaint, the CRD will review the answer. In many cases, the CRD will offer dispute resolution services, which provide a way for the employee and employer to negotiate a resolution to the complaint. If the complaint cannot be resolved through negotiations, the CRD will initiate an investigation.

A medical condition discrimination investigation will determine whether there was a violation of California anti-discrimination laws. If the investigation finds there was a violation, the case will go the CRD Legal Division. If there is no violation, the case will be closed. If the case is closed, the employee still has the immediate right to take their case to court.

The CRD Legal Division generally requires the parties to go through mediation. Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution where a neutral mediator helps the parties come together to find a mutually agreeable solution. In a successful mediation, the employer and employee will come up with a way to settle the dispute, without leaving it up to the courts to decide the outcome.

If the parties cannot settle the dispute through mediation, the CRD could file a lawsuit on behalf of the employee against the employer. If the CRD does not pursue the claim, it will close the investigation and the employee has the immediate right to file a lawsuit against the employer.

6. Can I sue my employer for discrimination?

Under California law, it is a civil right to have the opportunity to seek and hold employment without discrimination based on a medical condition. Employees who are discriminated against because of their medical condition can file a lawsuit against their employers for unlawful discrimination.²⁰

An employee generally has to file a complaint with the CRD or EEOC before they can file a lawsuit in civil court. This requires obtaining a “right to sue” notice before your case can be taken to court.

You can request an immediate right to sue notice, without having to go through a complete CRD or EEOC investigation. However, if you receive a Right-to-Sue notice, your complaint will not be investigated by CRD. Alternatively, you may also wait until the CRD dismisses your case or finds no violation before taking your case to court.²¹

According to the CRD, proceeding directly to court without an investigation by the CRD is only advisable if you have an attorney. Your attorney can obtain a right to sue notice and file your case in California Superior Court, in the county where the discrimination occurred, or another relevant county.²²

The complaint will be served upon your employer and anyone else named in the lawsuit as defendants. The defendants will respond to the complaint with a formal answer responding to the allegations, and the case may proceed through litigation. At any point before the end of a trial, the employer and employee can negotiate a settlement and settle the case out of court.

7. What are my damages in an employment discrimination lawsuit?

The damages available in an employment discrimination lawsuit will depend on the extent of the medical condition discrimination and the type of harm to the employee or job applicant. This may include money damages, punitive damages, and equitable remedies.

Money damages from employment discrimination based on medical condition may include losses from:

Back pay (with interest)
Front pay
Higher-income from a promotion
Higher-income from a raise
Benefits
Pension benefits
Bonus payments
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress

A successful lawsuit can also result in equitable remedies. If an applicant was not hired based on his or her medical condition, the court can require the employer to hire the employee. The court can also require the employer to provide a reasonable accommodation to the employee.

Employees who have suffered employment discrimination or harassment based on medical condition can also seek damages for the cost of attorney’s fees and court costs.²³

In some cases, an employee may also be eligible to receive punitive damages. Punitive damages are a way to punish the behavior of the wrongdoer and act as a way to deter the employer or other employers from engaging in similar wrongful behavior in the future.

8. Can I be fired for filing a lawsuit?

California workers cannot be retaliated against for reporting workplace discrimination against a co-worker or other employee.²⁴

The FEHA protects employees who are retaliated against for:

Opposing workplace harassment
Opposing medical condition discrimination against other employees
Reporting medical condition discrimination or workplace harassment
Assisting with CRD investigations or government inquiries

If an employer retaliates against an employee for reporting FEHA violations or other employment law violations, the employee may be able to file a complaint with the CRD or file a lawsuit against the employer for retaliation or wrongful termination.

An employer cannot fire an employee for filing a workplace discrimination or harassment lawsuit. Firing an employee for filing a workplace discrimination claim is a retaliatory action, and may be considered “wrongful termination”.²⁵

Call us for help…

For questions about California disability discrimination laws, retaliation, or to discuss your case confidentially with one of our skilled California employment law attorneys, do not hesitate to contact us at Shouse Law Group.

We have local employment law offices in and around Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, San Jose, Oakland, the San Francisco Bay area, and several nearby cities.

Legal References:

Fair Employment and Housing Act 12940 — Unlawful Practices. (“It is an unlawful employment practice, unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification, or, except where based upon applicable security regulations established by the United States or the State of California: (a) For an employer, because of the race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status of any person, to refuse to hire or employ the person or to refuse to select the person for a training program leading to employment, or to bar or to discharge the person from employment or from a training program leading to employment, or to discriminate against the person in compensation or in terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.”)
Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. Public Law 101-336. 108th Congress, 2nd session (July 26, 1990).Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2, Section 102 — Discrimination. (“(a) General rule – No covered entity shall discriminate against a qualified individual on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures, the hiring, advancement, or discharge of employees, employee compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.”)
Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 101 — Definitions. (“(8) Qualified individual. – The term “qualified individual” means an individual who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the employment position that such individual holds or desires. For the purposes of this subchapter, consideration shall be given to the employer’s judgment as to what functions of a job are essential, and if an employer has prepared a written description before advertising or interviewing applicants for the job, this description shall be considered evidence of the essential functions of the job.”)
Fair Employment and Housing Act 12940, footnote 1 above.
Fair Employment and Housing Act 12926 — Definitions. (“(n) Notwithstanding subdivisions (j) and (m), if the definition of “disability” used in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336) would result in broader protection of the civil rights of individuals with a mental disability or physical disability, as defined in subdivision (j) or (m), or would include any medical condition not included within those definitions, then that broader protection or coverage shall be deemed incorporated by reference into, and shall prevail over conflicting provisions of, the definitions in subdivisions (j) and (m).”)
Fair Employment and Housing Act 12940 — Unlawful Practices. (“It is an unlawful employment practice, unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification, or, except where based upon applicable security regulations established by the United States or the State of California: (b) For a labor organization, because of the race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status of any person, to exclude, expel, or restrict from its membership the person, or to provide only second-class or segregated membership or to discriminate against any person because of the race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status of the person in the election of officers of the labor organization or in the selection of the labor organization’s staff or to discriminate in any way against any of its members or against any employer or against any person employed by an employer.”)
Fair Employment and Housing Act 12940 — Unlawful Practices. (“It is an unlawful employment practice, unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification, or, except where based upon applicable security regulations established by the United States or the State of California: (c) For any person to discriminate against any person in the selection, termination, training, or other terms or treatment of that person in any apprenticeship training program, any other training program leading to employment, an unpaid internship, or another limited duration program to provide unpaid work experience for that person because of the race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status of the person discriminated against.”)
Fair Employment and Housing Act 12940 — Unlawful Practices. (“It is an unlawful employment practice, unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification, or, except where based upon applicable security regulations established by the United States or the State of California: (d) For any employer or employment agency to print or circulate or cause to be printed or circulated any publication, or to make any nonjob-related inquiry of an employee or applicant, either verbal or through use of an application form, that expresses, directly or indirectly, any limitation, specification, or discrimination as to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status, or any intent to make any such limitation, specification, or discrimination. This part does not prohibit an employer or employment agency from inquiring into the age of an applicant, or from specifying age limitations, where the law compels or provides for that action.”)
Fair Employment and Housing Act 12926 — Definitions. (“(i) “Medical condition” means either of the following: (1) Any health impairment related to or associated with a diagnosis of cancer or a record or history of cancer. (2) Genetic characteristics. For purposes of this section, “genetic characteristics” means either of the following: (A) Any scientifically or medically identifiable gene or chromosome, or combination or alteration thereof, that is known to be a cause of a disease or disorder in a person or his or her offspring, or that is determined to be associated with a statistically increased risk of development of a disease or disorder, and that is presently not associated with any symptoms of any disease or disorder. (B) Inherited characteristics that may derive from the individual or family member, that are known to be a cause of a disease or disorder in a person or his or her offspring, or that are determined to be associated with a statistically increased risk of development of a disease or disorder, and that are presently not associated with any symptoms of any disease or disorder.”)
Fair Employment and Housing Act 12926 — Definitions. (“(j) “Mental disability” includes, but is not limited to, all of the following: (1) Having any mental or psychological disorder or condition, such as intellectual disability, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, or specific learning disabilities, that limits a major life activity. For purposes of this section: (A) “Limits” shall be determined without regard to mitigating measures, such as medications, assistive devices, or reasonable accommodations, unless the mitigating measure itself limits a major life activity. (B) A mental or psychological disorder or condition limits a major life activity if it makes the achievement of the major life activity difficult. (C) “Major life activities” shall be broadly construed and shall include physical, mental, and social activities and working. (2) Any other mental or psychological disorder or condition not described in paragraph (1) that requires special education or related services. (3) Having a record or history of a mental or psychological disorder or condition described in paragraph (1) or (2), which is known to the employer or other entity covered by this part. (4) Being regarded or treated by the employer or other entity covered by this part as having, or having had, any mental condition that makes achievement of a major life activity difficult. (5) Being regarded or treated by the employer or other entity covered by this part as having, or having had, a mental or psychological disorder or condition that has no present disabling effect, but that may become a mental disability as described in paragraph (1) or (2). “Mental disability” does not include sexual behavior disorders, compulsive gambling, kleptomania, pyromania, or psychoactive substance use disorders resulting from the current unlawful use of controlled substances or other drugs.”)
Fair Employment and Housing Act 12926 — Definitions. (“(m) “Physical disability” includes, but is not limited to, all of the following: (1) Having any physiological disease, disorder, condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss that does both of the following: (A) Affects one or more of the following body systems: neurological, immunological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory, including speech organs, cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, hemic and lymphatic, skin, and endocrine. (B) Limits a major life activity. For purposes of this section: (i) “Limits” shall be determined without regard to mitigating measures such as medications, assistive devices, prosthetics, or reasonable accommodations, unless the mitigating measure itself limits a major life activity. (ii) A physiological disease, disorder, condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss limits a major life activity if it makes the achievement of the major life activity difficult. (iii) “Major life activities” shall be broadly construed and includes physical, mental, and social activities and working. (2) Any other health impairment not described in paragraph (1) that requires special education or related services. (3) Having a record or history of a disease, disorder, condition, cosmetic disfigurement, anatomical loss, or health impairment described in paragraph (1) or (2), which is known to the employer or other entity covered by this part. (4) Being regarded or treated by the employer or other entity covered by this part as having, or having had, any physical condition that makes achievement of a major life activity difficult. (5) Being regarded or treated by the employer or other entity covered by this part as having, or having had, a disease, disorder, condition, cosmetic disfigurement, anatomical loss, or health impairment that has no present disabling effect but may become a physical disability as described in paragraph (1) or (2). (6) “Physical disability” does not include sexual behavior disorders, compulsive gambling, kleptomania, pyromania, or psychoactive substance use disorders resulting from the current unlawful use of controlled substances or other drugs.”)
Fair Employment and Housing Act 12940 — Unlawful Practices. (“It is an unlawful employment practice, unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification, or, except where based upon applicable security regulations established by the United States or the State of California: (n) For an employer or other entity covered by this part to fail to engage in a timely, good faith, interactive process with the employee or applicant to determine effective reasonable accommodations, if any, in response to a request for reasonable accommodation by an employee or applicant with a known physical or mental disability or known medical condition.”)
Same.
Fair Employment and Housing Act 12926 — Definitions. (“(p) “Reasonable accommodation” may include either of the following: (1) Making existing facilities used by employees readily accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities. (2) Job restructuring, part-time or modified work schedules, reassignment to a vacant position, acquisition or modification of equipment or devices, adjustment or modifications of examinations, training materials or policies, the provision of qualified readers or interpreters, and other similar accommodations for individuals with disabilities.”)
Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 101 — Definitions. (9) Reasonable accommodation. – The term “reasonable accommodation” may include – (A) making existing facilities used by employees readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities; and (B) job restructuring, part-time or modified work schedules, reassignment to a vacant position, acquisition or modification of equipment or devices, appropriate adjustment or modifications of examinations, training materials or policies, the provision of qualified readers or interpreters, and other similar accommodations for individuals with disabilities.”)
Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 101 — Definitions. (10) Undue hardship. (A) In general. The term “undue hardship” means an action requiring significant difficulty or expense, when considered in light of the factors set forth in subparagraph (B). (B) Factors to be considered. In determining whether an accommodation would impose an undue hardship on a covered entity, factors to be considered include (i) the nature and cost of the accommodation needed under this chapter; (ii) the overall financial resources of the facility or facilities involved in the provision of the reasonable accommodation; the number of persons employed at such facility; the effect on expenses and resources, or the impact otherwise of such accommodation upon the operation of the facility; (iii) the overall financial resources of the covered entity; the overall size of the business of a covered entity with respect to the number of its employees; the number, type, and location of its facilities; and (iv) the type of operation or operations of the covered entity, including the composition, structure, and functions of the workforce of such entity; the geographic separateness, administrative, or fiscal relationship of the facility or facilities in question to the covered entity.”)
Fair Employment and Housing Act 12926 — Definitions. (“(u) “Undue hardship” means an action requiring significant difficulty or expense, when considered in light of the following factors: (1) The nature and cost of the accommodation needed. (2) The overall financial resources of the facilities involved in the provision of the reasonable accommodations, the number of persons employed at the facility, and the effect on expenses and resources or the impact otherwise of these accommodations upon the operation of the facility. (3) The overall financial resources of the covered entity, the overall size of the business of a covered entity with respect to the number of employees, and the number, type, and location of its facilities. (4) The type of operations, including the composition, structure, and functions of the workforce of the entity. (5) The geographic separateness or administrative or fiscal relationship of the facility or facilities.”)
Fair Employment and Housing Act 12960. (“(b) Any person claiming to be aggrieved by an alleged unlawful practice may file with the department a verified complaint, in writing, that shall state the name and address of the person, employer, labor organization, or employment agency alleged to have committed the unlawful practice complained of, and that shall set forth the particulars thereof and contain other information as may be required by the department. The director or his or her authorized representative may in like manner, on his or her own motion, make, sign, and file a complaint.”)
Fair Employment and Housing Act 12960; California Assembly Bill 9 (2019).
Fair Employment and Housing Act 12921. (“(a) The opportunity to seek, obtain, and hold employment without discrimination because of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status is hereby recognized as and declared to be a civil right.”)
Fair Employment and Housing Act 12965 — Unlawful Practices. (“(b) If a civil action is not brought by the department within 150 days after the filing of a complaint, or if the department earlier determines that no civil action will be brought, the department shall promptly notify, in writing, the person claiming to be aggrieved that the department shall issue, on his or her request, the right-to-sue notice.”)
Fair Employment and Housing Act 12965 — Unlawful Practices. (“(b) ^… The superior courts of the State of California shall have jurisdiction of those actions, and the aggrieved person may file in these courts. An action may be brought in any county in the state in which the unlawful practice is alleged to have been committed, in the county in which the records relevant to the practice are maintained and administered, or in the county in which the aggrieved person would have worked or would have had access to the public accommodation but for the alleged unlawful practice, but if the defendant is not found within any of these counties, an action may be brought within the county of the defendant’s residence or principal office.”)
Fair Employment and Housing Act 12965 — Unlawful Practices. (“(b) ^… In civil actions brought under this section, the court, in its discretion, may award to the prevailing party, including the department, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, including expert witness fees.”)
Government Code 12940 GC — Employers, labor organizations, employment agencies and other persons; unlawful employment practice; exceptions FEHA wrongful termination / retaliation. (“It is an unlawful employment practice, unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification, or, except where based upon applicable security regulations established by the United States or the State of California: . . . (h) For any employer, labor organization, employment agency, or person to discharge, expel, or otherwise discriminate against any person because the person has opposed any practices forbidden under this part or because the person has filed a complaint, testified, or assisted in any proceeding under this part.”)
California Code of Regulations (CCR) tit. 2, § 11021. (“a) FEHA Retaliation Generally. It is unlawful for an employer or other covered entity to demote, suspend, reduce, fail to hire or consider for hire, fail to give equal consideration in making employment decisions, fail to treat impartially in the context of any recommendations for subsequent employment that the employer or other covered entity may make, adversely affect working conditions or otherwise deny any employment benefit to an individual because that individual has opposed practices prohibited by the Act or has filed a complaint, testified, assisted or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing conducted by the Council or Department or its staff. (1) Opposition to practices prohibited by the Act includes, but is not limited to: (A) Seeking the advice of the Department or Council, whether or not a complaint is filed, and if a complaint is filed, whether or not the complaint is ultimately sustained; (B) Assisting or advising any person in seeking the advice of the Department or Council, whether or not a complaint is filed, and if a complaint is filed, whether or not the complaint is ultimately sustained; (C) Opposing employment practices that an individual reasonably believes to exist and believes to be a violation of the Act; (D) Participating in an activity that is perceived by the employer or other covered entity as opposition to discrimination, whether or not so intended by the individual expressing the opposition; or (E) Contacting, communicating with or participating in the proceeding of a local human rights or civil rights agency regarding employment discrimination on a basis enumerated in the Act.”)

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