At Omni Law, P.C., our employment law attorneys understand that discrimination can severely impact employees’ lives, careers, and emotional well-being. With offices in
Los Angeles,
Philadelphia, and
New York City, we are uniquely positioned to help employees navigate the complexities of federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. If you face workplace discrimination, our experienced attorneys are here to provide compassionate guidance and tenacious representation.
Understanding Federal Employment Discrimination Laws
Federal laws set the foundation for protecting employees from workplace discrimination.
These laws include:
These laws are enforced by federal agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and apply to most workplaces with 15 or more employees. However, while federal laws provide a baseline of protection, state and local laws often go further to address specific forms of discrimination.
State-Specific Employment Discrimination Laws
In states like California, New York, and Pennsylvania, additional protections exist that employees should understand and employers must follow.
For California, they include:
California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) provides some of the most comprehensive anti-discrimination protections in the country.
FEHA:
- Covers employers with as few as five employees.
- Prohibits discrimination based on a broader range of categories, including sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, and medical conditions.
- Provides stronger protections for employees with disabilities, requiring more extensive reasonable accommodations.
For Pennsylvania, they include:
Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) prohibits discrimination based on additional characteristics, such as ancestry. Philadelphia further expands protections by addressing discrimination based on familial status, sexual orientation, and gender identity.