San Francisco

It’s illegal to fire an employee for a discriminatory reason, for reporting misconduct, or for taking protected leave under California or federal law.

Yes. If you’ve experienced unwanted sexual advances, offensive comments, or a hostile environment, you may have grounds for a harassment claim under FEHA.

Employers must provide reasonable accommodations unless it causes undue hardship. Failing to do so may violate FEHA and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Document everything and contact an attorney before taking further steps. The sooner you act, the stronger your case may be.

Yes. San Francisco has enacted local ordinances that go beyond state law in several areas, including expanded protections against discrimination, stronger paid sick leave requirements, and additional rights for certain workers. The San Francisco Human Rights Commission also enforces local anti-discrimination laws. An attorney familiar with both state and local law can help ensure you’re taking advantage of every protection available to you.

Possibly. Employers sometimes use layoffs and restructurings to mask discriminatory terminations. If employees in a protected class, such as workers over 40, women, or employees who recently took medical leave, were disproportionately selected for a reduction in force, there may be grounds for a discrimination claim. The fact that a termination is framed as a layoff does not automatically make it lawful.

Many employees believe an arbitration agreement means they have no options, but that’s not always true. Some arbitration clauses are unenforceable under California law, and certain claims, including sexual harassment claims under AB 51, may not be subject to mandatory arbitration at all. An attorney can review your agreement and advise you on your options.

Possibly. Under California’s AB5 and related law, many workers classified as independent contractors are legally considered employees and entitled to the same workplace protections. Misclassification is especially common in San Francisco’s tech and gig economy sectors. If you were misclassified, you may have claims not only for that misclassification but also for any discrimination, harassment, or retaliation you experienced while working in that role.

In most cases, you have three years from the date of the discriminatory act to file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. For federal claims through the EEOC, the deadline is generally 300 days. These deadlines are strict, and waiting too long can bar your claim entirely so it’s important to consult an attorney as soon as possible.

Your employer is still responsible. Under California law, employers have a duty to take reasonable steps to prevent and correct harassment in the workplace, even when the harasser is a third party such as a client, vendor, or customer. If your employer knew or should have known about the harassment and failed to act, they may be liable.