San Jose is the largest city in Santa Clara County and the heart of Silicon Valley — but it is also a city with a vibrant Hispanic community working in restaurants, construction, agriculture around the Santa Clara Valley, tech services, and many other industries. If you work in San Jose and your employer discriminates against you, harasses you, or fails to pay you correctly, you have the same rights as any worker in California.
My name is Arlo Uriarte, employment lawyer at Liberation Law Group. We represent workers in San Jose, Campbell, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Milpitas, and all of Santa Clara County. Call 1-888-442-2642 or request your free consultation here. 24/7 in English and Spanish.
San Jose Industries with the Highest Incidence of Employment Law Violations
Tech — service workers: Silicon Valley has thousands of Hispanic workers in cleaning, catering, security, and maintenance services for large tech companies — often subcontracted and at high risk of misclassification. If your service company assigns you to a company like Google, Apple, or Meta but classifies you as a contractor, that may be a violation. Read about misclassification lawsuits in California.
Residential and commercial construction: The Silicon Valley real estate boom generates constant construction where prevailing wage theft and misclassification are frequent. Learn about the rights of construction workers in California.
Restaurants and hospitality: From fast food restaurants on main avenues to establishments in downtown San Jose, tip theft and unpaid overtime are common. Find out how to claim unpaid overtime.
Agricultural work in the surrounding areas: Santa Clara County still has active agriculture on its fringes — and agricultural workers around San Jose have the same overtime rights as any other California worker.
Did your employer in San Jose violate your employment rights?
Attorney Arlo Uriarte can evaluate your case today — for free, in Spanish. 1-888-442-2642 — free consultation here — 24/7.
Most Common Types of Discrimination in San Jose
Racial discrimination in tech: Hispanic workers in Silicon Valley frequently experience discrimination in the two-tier structure — tech employees (well-paid, benefits) versus service workers (lower-paid, fewer benefits). When both groups work side-by-side but under radically different conditions based on race, there may be a lawsuit. Learn about employment discrimination in California.
Language discrimination: “English only” policies that have no genuine business justification, or treating employees differently for speaking Spanish, are national origin discrimination under FEHA.
Sexual harassment: Sexual harassment affects female workers in all San Jose industries — from manufacturing plants to hotels and restaurants. Read about sexual harassment at work in California.
Cases in San Jose are heard before the Santa Clara County Superior Court at 191 N. First Street, San Jose. Liberation Law Group is familiar with that court and has successfully litigated cases there.
Suffered discrimination in San Jose? Deadlines are running.
Call 1-888-442-2642 to speak with attorney Arlo Uriarte. Free evaluation in Spanish — no obligation — 24/7.
Frequently Asked Questions — Employment Discrimination in San Jose
Does Liberation Law Group handle discrimination cases in San Jose?
Yes. We represent workers in San Jose, Campbell, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Milpitas, Cupertino, Morgan Hill, and all of Santa Clara County. Consultations are done by phone or video call — you don’t need to travel to San Francisco. The same California laws apply in San Jose as in any other city in the state. Cases are heard before the Santa Clara County Superior Court at 191 N. First Street. Call 1-888-442-2642.
Is discrimination in Silicon Valley tech companies handled differently?
No. The same FEHA and federal laws apply to tech companies in Silicon Valley as to any other employer. In fact, many tech companies have seemingly inclusive policies but practice systematic discrimination in their hiring structure — especially between direct employees and subcontracted service workers. If you are a service worker subcontracted for a tech company and suffered discrimination, you may have claims against the contractor, the tech company, or both. Call 1-888-442-2642.
How much time do I have to sue for discrimination in San Jose?
The deadlines are the same as anywhere else in California — they are state deadlines. For discrimination and harassment under FEHA: 3 years from the most recent act. For wage theft: 3 years (4 under UCL). For the federal EEOC: 300 days. Act quickly — evidence is fresher and you preserve all your options. Call 1-888-442-2642.
What is worker misclassification in tech and how does it affect me?
Misclassification occurs when a company labels you as an ‘independent contractor’ but actually controls you like an employee. Under California’s AB 5 Law, if the company controls your schedule, your tools, and how you perform your work — you are likely an employee with all corresponding rights. In Silicon Valley, many service workers — cleaning, security, catering — are classified as contractors by intermediary companies working for tech firms. This deprives them of overtime, benefits, and other protections. Call 1-888-442-2642.
How much can a discrimination case in San Jose be worth?
In California, discrimination cases under FEHA can include lost wages, uncapped emotional distress damages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. For workers with Silicon Valley salaries — which tend to be higher than average — lost wages and career loss damages can be especially significant. A free evaluation can give you a concrete estimate based on your salary and specific situation. Call 1-888-442-2642.
Does Liberation Law Group serve other areas of the South Bay Area?
Yes. In addition to San Jose, we represent workers in Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Campbell, Morgan Hill, Santa Cruz County (Santa Cruz), Watsonville, and Monterey County. Call 1-888-442-2642.
Do service workers in tech companies have employment rights?
Yes — and many don’t know it. If you work in cleaning, catering, security, or any other service on the premises of a tech company, you are entitled to the minimum wage (which may be San Jose’s, higher than the state’s), overtime, rest periods, and protection against discrimination. If you are also classified as a contractor when you are actually an employee, you have additional claims. Call 1-888-442-2642.
Does Liberation Law Group speak Spanish for San Jose workers?
Yes. Attorney Arlo Uriarte and our entire team are completely bilingual. For Hispanic workers in Silicon Valley — who are often the most vulnerable to employment law violations and those who most need attention in their language — this is a fundamental value of our firm. Call 1-888-442-2642.
San Jose and Silicon Valley Need Workplace Justice — Act Today
Call 1-888-442-2642 or complete our free form. Attorney Arlo Uriarte is ready — in English or Spanish, at no cost, 24/7.
Liberation Law Group — Attorneys for Workers 24/7
2760 Mission Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94110
1-888-442-2642
Free Consultation in English or Spanish — No Obligation — No Fee Until We Win
