Sexual
Discrimination

Numerous federal and California statutes prohibit discrimination against employees based on sex.

“Sex” includes both sex (i.e., biological differences between men and women) and gender. In addition, “sex” is defined to include pregnancy, child birth or medical conditions related to pregnancy. See also Pregnancy Discrimination. and Leave.

Adverse employment actions based on sex are unlawful. There are two types of sex discrimination cases:

  • When an employer intentionally treats employees differently because of their sex (“disparate treatment”)
  • When an employer has a policy or practice which adversely impacts employees of one sex, even if the policy or practice is not discriminatory on its face (“disparate impact”)

Other forms of sex discrimination are also prohibited, such as discrimination in rates of pay under the Equal Pay Act of 1963.

See also Sexual Harassment.

If you believe that you were fired from your job, laid off, demoted (or not promoted), or suffered a reduction in pay or other adverse employment action based on your sex, please contact the Law Offices of David S. Levy for a free initial consultation. We typically represent victims of gender discrimination on a contingent fee basis, which means that our clients do not pay attorney fees or costs unless and until there is a recovery.