Employment discrimination in San Francisco affects thousands of Hispanic workers, immigrants, and workers of color every year. Despite presenting itself as a progressive and inclusive city, the reality in many San Francisco workplaces is very different. If your employer treats you differently because of your race, national origin, language, gender, pregnancy, age, disability, or religion — that is illegal discrimination, and Liberation Law Group is here to fight for you.
My name is Arlo Uriarte, employment attorney at Liberation Law Group, located at 2760 Mission Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco. Call 1-888-442-2642 or request your free consultation here. 24/7 in English and Spanish.
Types of Employment Discrimination in San Francisco
Racial and national origin discrimination: The most common type we see for Hispanic workers. Being treated differently for being Latino, for your accent, or for speaking Spanish. Being denied promotions, assigned the most dangerous jobs, or subjected to a hostile environment because of your background. Learn about your rights regarding racial discrimination in the California workplace.
Gender discrimination: Paying women less for the same work, denying them promotions that go to less experienced men, or creating an environment where women are excluded or marginalized. Read about gender discrimination in San Francisco.
Pregnancy discrimination: Terminating, demoting, or marginalizing an employee for being pregnant or for taking maternity leave. The Rancho Gordo case — a $252,000 verdict — illustrates the cost to employers. Read the Rancho Gordo case and pregnancy discrimination in California.
Age discrimination: If you are over 40 and are terminated so a younger person can be hired, or if you are excluded from projects or promotions because of your age. Read about age discrimination in the workplace.
Disability discrimination: Denial of reasonable accommodations, termination for a medical condition, or marginalization because of a physical or mental disability. Read about disability discrimination in California.
Religious discrimination: Denying religious accommodations or creating a hostile environment based on an employee’s beliefs. Read about religious discrimination in the workplace.
Did you experience discrimination at your San Francisco workplace?
Attorney Arlo Uriarte — located in the Mission District — can evaluate your case today. 1-888-442-2642 — free consultation here — 24/7.
FEHA: Your Legal Shield in San Francisco
California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) is the primary statute protecting workers from employment discrimination. It applies to employers with 5 or more employees — covering the vast majority of businesses in San Francisco. FEHA prohibits discrimination in hiring, promotions, compensation, job assignments, working conditions, and termination. Penalties include lost wages, uncapped emotional distress damages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees.
San Francisco also has local ordinances that go beyond state protections — including protection based on source of income and status as a formerly incarcerated person. The San Francisco Human Rights Commission and the city’s Labor Commissioner have additional jurisdiction over employers operating in the city.
San Francisco Neighborhoods with High Concentrations of Workplace Discrimination
Mission District: Restaurants, stores, and service businesses with a high concentration of Hispanic workers. Discrimination based on national origin and accent is common.
Chinatown and North Beach: Restaurants and family businesses where language-based discrimination is frequent.
Financial District and SOMA: Service and tech companies where racial discrimination in promotions is a documented pattern.
Pacific Heights and Nob Hill: Domestic workers who are frequently victims of discrimination and wage theft.
Frequently Asked Questions — Employment Discrimination in San Francisco
How do I know if what I experienced is illegal discrimination?
Illegal employment discrimination under FEHA requires that the negative action — termination, demotion, denial of promotion, pay difference, hostile environment — be motivated by a protected characteristic (race, gender, pregnancy, age, disability, religion, national origin, etc.). If you believe you were treated differently because of any of these characteristics, you have grounds to explore a case. You do not need perfect evidence to get started — an attorney can evaluate your situation. Call 1-888-442-2642.
How long do I have to sue for discrimination in San Francisco?
You have 3 years from the most recent discriminatory act to file a lawsuit under California’s FEHA. This deadline applies equally in San Francisco as anywhere else in the state. Act quickly — evidence is fresher and you preserve all your legal options. Call 1-888-442-2642.
What special protections does San Francisco have that other cities do not?
San Francisco has additional local ordinances: protection based on source of income, status as a formerly incarcerated person, a higher minimum wage, the Fair Scheduling Ordinance for retail and restaurant workers, and an active Human Rights Commission. The San Francisco Superior Court at 400 McAllister Street is known for being favorable to workers in discrimination cases. Call 1-888-442-2642.
Can my employer retaliate against me for complaining about discrimination?
No. Retaliation is completely illegal. If you report discrimination and your employer takes negative action against you, that creates an additional retaliation claim. Read about your rights against workplace retaliation. Call 1-888-442-2642.
Can I sue if the discrimination was verbal and there is no written evidence?
Yes. Discrimination cases rarely have direct written evidence — and courts know this. Your testimony is evidence. Testimony from coworkers who heard the discriminatory comments is evidence. Patterns of employer behavior are evidence. Through the legal discovery process we can obtain additional evidence from the employer. Do not assume you need perfect evidence to have a case. Call 1-888-442-2642.
How much could a discrimination case in San Francisco be worth?
In California, FEHA discrimination cases can include: lost wages, uncapped emotional distress damages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. The combination of unlimited emotional distress damages and the possibility of punitive damages makes serious discrimination cases potentially very significant in value. A free evaluation can give you a concrete estimate. Call 1-888-442-2642.
Is Liberation Law Group located in San Francisco?
Yes. Our main office is at 2760 Mission Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, in the heart of the Mission District. Accessible from several MUNI lines and a few blocks from the 24th Street BART station. We also serve clients by phone and video call. Call 1-888-442-2642.
Does Liberation Law Group handle discrimination throughout the region?
Yes. In addition to San Francisco, we represent workers in Oakland, San Jose, Sonoma County, Marin County, and throughout the region. Call 1-888-442-2642.
Your Dignity at Work Is Non-Negotiable — Act Today
Call 1-888-442-2642 or complete our free form. Attorney Arlo Uriarte — in San Francisco’s Mission District — is ready to fight for you. In Spanish, at no cost, 24/7.
Liberation Law Group — Employment Attorneys for Workers, 24/7
2760 Mission Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94110
1-888-442-2642
Free Consultation in Spanish — No Obligation — No Fee Unless We Win
