In California Marital Status Discrimination is often Overlooked
Are you married, single, or divorced? Like many individuals, you may not relate the answer to this question to your employment status. Unfortunately, many employers wrongfully consider marital status when making employment decisions, including hiring, firing, compensation, and promotions. There is no federal law that specifically prohibits employers from making employment decisions based on marital status, although sexual and racial discrimination claims can be brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Nevertheless, a growing number of states have enacted laws protecting workers from adverse employment actions made on the basis of marital status.
In California, marital status discrimination is prohibited by Government Code Section 12940, which states in pertinent part as follows:
It shall be 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 …marital 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.
The statute is enforced by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), which is one of the largest state civil rights agencies in the country.
Marital status discrimination, employment decisions made on the identity or situation of one’s spouse, can occur in a number of situations. Marriage between two individuals in the same company may be viewed as creating an uncomfortable working environment. If an employee’s spouse works for a competitor, an employer may consider it a conflict of interest. An issue may also arise where a spouse is deemed to be objectionable because of race, sexual orientation, or criminal background. These are all wrongful considerations by employers and employees should not hesitate to action.
If you believe you have been discriminated against based on your marital status, you should first consult an experienced California labor law attorney. By hiring a California labor law attorney, it may be possible to collect punitive damages, plus costs and attorney fees.
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