Gender Discrimination

“For 8 months, my manager made me come 15 min early to work and leave 20 min late. He told me to clock in at my regular time without the extra minutes. My cousin and my friend told me to see a lawyer. I found lawyer Edgar and in very fast time there was a settlement and I got more money than i thought. He was very fast, smart, and always phoned me about my case. I recommend this lawyer for everyone.” – Allen A.

Glendale Gender Discrimination Attorney

Q: How much does it cost to speak with an employment lawyer?

At Manukyan Law Firm, your initial consultation is free . We review your experience, answer your questions, and explain what your next steps might look like. You don’t have to pay to find out if you have a case.

Work should be a place where you’re judged by your performance, not your gender. But when bias creeps in, it affects your job, income, and peace of mind. Whether you’re being passed over for promotions, paid less than your peers, or pushed out of key decisions, gender discrimination in the workplace isn’t just unfair—it’s against the law.

In 2024, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received 5,099 sex-based claims in California, making up nearly 6% of all cases filed that year.

Why Call Our Employment Law Firm?

No Upfront Attorney Fees
We Speak Armenian, English, Russian & Spanish
Passionate Representation
Consistent Results & Glowing Peer Reviews

If you’ve experienced this kind of treatment, you may have the right to file a gender discrimination claim, but identifying what qualifies—and how to prove it—often requires legal support.

At Manukyan Law Firm, our employment discrimination attorneys offer experienced, compassionate representation. We help employees across Glendale and Los Angeles County take action and fight for fair treatment when an employer violates their rights.

If you feel like you have been mistreated at work, call to schedule a consultation at Manukyan Law Firm.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE ON THIS BATTLE ALONE

What Gender Discrimination Looks Like at Work

Workplace discrimination based on gender happens when your employer treats you differently because of your sex, gender identity, gender expression, or perceived gender. It can take many forms—some obvious, others more subtle.

While gender bias shows up across the workforce, it disproportionately affects women. 41% report unfair treatment in pay or promotions, with even higher rates among women of color and LGBTQ women.

Examples of gender-based mistreatment include:

Being paid less than a coworker of a different gender for the same work. (e.g., a male colleague earns more despite having the same title and responsibilities).
Being denied promotions or raises due to your gender (e.g., leadership roles are given to men, even when you have stronger qualifications).
Facing sexist remarks or demeaning comments (e.g., a supervisor makes comments like “this job is better suited for a man”).
Being excluded from meetings or key assignments (e.g., you’re left out of client pitches or team decisions that align with your role).
Facing pregnancy-related discrimination, including demotions or forced leave (e.g., after announcing your pregnancy, your hours are cut or you’re reassigned to a less demanding project without explanation).
Being penalized for expressing gender identity or not conforming to gender norms (e.g., you’re told to dress or act a certain way to “fit in” with the company image).
Harassment that creates a hostile work environment (e.g., coworkers repeatedly make crude jokes or comments about your body or identity).

Even a single incident may qualify as gender discrimination under the law—you don’t have to experience them all to have a valid claim.

At Manukyan Law Firm, we represent clients in Glendale and the Greater Los Angeles area in cases that involve:

California Employee Rights: Legal Protections in the Workplace

California and federal laws protect you from gender discrimination at work. Here’s an overview of your employee rights:

Law	What It Covers
California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)	Bans discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. Applies to workplaces with 5 or more employees.
California Equal Pay Act	Requires equal pay for substantially similar work, regardless of gender. Employers must explain any pay differences.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act	Federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination and harassment. Applies to workplaces with 15 or more employees.
Pregnancy Disability Leave Law (PDLL)	Gives pregnant employees the right to time off and reasonable accommodations during pregnancy and childbirth.
California Family Rights Act (CFRA)	Allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for pregnancy, bonding, or family care.

When your employer violates these protections, a qualified gender discrimination attorney in Glendale, California, can help you recover lost wages, emotional distress damages, and other costs through a discrimination claim.

Signs You Might Have a Case for Sex Discrimination at Work

It’s not always easy to tell if what you’ve experienced counts as discrimination. But if your employer treated you differently in a way that impacted your job, pay, or job security—and that treatment was tied to your gender—you may have a valid legal claim.

Here’s what to look for:

The unfair treatment wasn’t a one-off. A pattern of exclusion, bias, or mistreatment—even if it was subtle—can show intent or ongoing harm.
Your employer’s actions impacted your career. Denied promotions, reduced hours, wrongful termination, or missed pay raises tied to your gender are legally relevant.
Others outside your gender were treated more favorably in the same situation. Unequal discipline, inconsistent policies, or obvious double standards help strengthen a claim.
You felt forced to accept the treatment to keep your job. If speaking up felt unsafe or led to retaliation, that’s more than workplace tension—it may violate your rights.
The behavior continued even after you raised concerns. Once you report potential discrimination, your employer has a legal duty to take it seriously under the law.

If you believe you experienced unequal treatment in the workplace, speak to a skilled gender discrimination lawyer. Our legal team at Manukyan Law Firm will determine if what happened qualifies under California law and which steps to take next.

What To Do if You Suspect Gender Discrimination

Discrimination can feel isolating, especially if you’re worried about job security or retaliation. But taking the right actions now helps protect your rights.

Take the following steps to support your claim:

Document the discrimination. Keep copies of emails, performance reviews, schedules, and any communications that show bias or unfair treatment. Document the details—dates, names, and what occurred—even if it feels minor.
Talk to HR (if safe to do so). Report your concerns through the appropriate workplace channels. If you’re worried about retaliation or don’t trust your HR department, speak with an attorney first.
Don’t wait. California law gives you a limited time to file a claim. Typically, the Civil Rights Department (CRD) gives you three years from the date of harm to submit a complaint.
Contact a gender discrimination attorney. A knowledgeable California FEHA lawyer can review your case, explain your options, and assist with filing a claim, negotiating a settlement, or going to court.

Filing a discrimination claim can put you in a vulnerable position, and you need a legal team you can trust. That’s why choosing a firm that takes your experience seriously and knows how to respond is important.

Why Choose Manukyan Law Firm

Gender discrimination cases require careful attention to what happened, how it was handled, and whether it violates the law. At Manukyan Law Firm, we take the time to understand your experience and explain what you can do next.

When you work with us, your case benefits from:

Experience with California employment law. We handle claims involving discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and hostile work environments.
Compassionate, strategic representation. We treat you with respect and fight for the outcome you deserve. Our team has won multiple million dollar settlements and will fight for the maximum damages for your case.
Local support. Based in Glendale, we understand the courts, employers, and legal climate throughout Los Angeles County.

You shouldn’t have to stay silent, wonder if your experience “counts,” or take on a legal fight by yourself. We help you understand what’s going on—and stand up for your rights if they’ve been violated.

Discuss Your Situation With a Qualified Attorney

You don’t need to keep second-guessing what’s happening at work. If you’ve been mistreated, it’s worth having a conversation with someone who understands the law and believes you deserve better.

At Manukyan Law Firm, we support people through some of the hardest moments in their careers. If you’re dealing with discrimination, retaliation, or silence from your employer, we’re ready to help.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Let’s discuss what you’ve been facing and how we can help you protect your rights, well-being, and personal dignity at work.

FAQs

What qualifies as gender discrimination at work?

Gender discrimination is unfair treatment based on your sex, gender identity, or gender expression. It can take various forms, like unequal pay, missed promotions, harassment, being excluded from work opportunities, or being penalized for how you express your gender.

Free Attorney Consultation