Chandra Law Logo

Practice Areas • Practices • California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA): What It Means for You

If you’ve been mistreated at work, FEHA may give you a strong legal remedy. But California is an at-will state so be sure you fall under an exception to that.

What does the California FEHA cover?

The California FEHA protects people from:

  • Discrimination based on race, sex, gender, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, and more.

  • Sexual harassment (a form of sex discrimination) and other workplace harassment.

  • Retaliation for reporting discrimination or harassment, or for participating in an investigation.

  • Failure to accommodate a disability or medical condition.

Please keep in mind that California is an at-will employment state, so unless what happened to an employee falls under an exception to that principle, you can't sue for even extreme unfairness.

Who does the California FEHA protect?

FEHA protects:

  • Employees (full-time, part-time, and temporary).

  • Job applicants.

  • Interns.

  • Independent contractors in many situations.

FEHA applies to California employers with five or more employees (and for harassment claims, even employers with just one employee).

What are employers required to do?

  • Provide a workplace free of discrimination and harassment.

  • Take complaints seriously and investigate them promptly.

  • Provide reasonable accommodations for workers with disabilities or medical needs.

  • Prevent retaliation against employees who speak up about discrimination and harassment.

What should you do if your rights are violated?

  • Report it internally to the Human Resources department, a supervisor, or another person in charge.

  • Document everything—what happened, when, who saw it.

  • Keep emails, texts, and notes supporting your claim. Take screen videos of text-message streams. They are better than screenshots.

  • Talk to a lawyer before filing anything on your own. It's important to allege the facts properly.

How do you bring a claim under FEHA?

To sue under FEHA, you must first file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD). Once you receive a "right-to-sue" letter, you can take your case to court.

You must act within three years of the violation. But don’t wait—there are exceptions and nuances that a lawyer can help you navigate.

What can you recover?

  • Compensation for lost wages and benefits.

  • Emotional-distress damages.

  • Reinstatement (if you were fired or demoted).

  • Punitive damages (in serious cases where malicious conduct can be proved).

  • Attorney fees and costs.

We're here to help

At The Chandra Law Firm, we’re committed to civil-rights justice—and that includes fighting employment discrimination, employment retaliation, and harassment under FEHA. We’re proud to bring our national experience to California workers. (Please note that we do not handle housing cases.)

If your employer violated your rights, we’re ready to stand with you. Please contact us.

At Chandra Law, your case is our cause®.

Making the right choice in legal representation can make the difference in whether you achieve a result that protects your legal rights and best interests.

Tell Us About Your Case