San Francisco Bay Area Attorneys Attend Gender Discrimination Seminar
Last week, Bryn Gallagher and Christine Renken of Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason (CPSM) attended a seminar discussing legal rights in regards to gender discrimination in the workplace. The seminar, hosted by the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association (SFTLA), focused on how far women have come in attaining gender equality in the workplace, as well as how women can legally fight back if they face gender bias, discrimination and exclusion.
It was discussed at the seminar how women are still only paid 77 cents on the dollar for completing the same work as men. Christine Renken, recently honored for her work with CPSM, says "This is a problem women face every day in trying to maintain careers as successful as men. Women can do just as good a job, or even a better job, than men and still be paid significantly less. Whether the disparity is intentional or not, women need to fight back and force employers to treat both genders equally."
There are several federal and state laws that provide protection for women from gender discrimination, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, the California Family Rights Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. According to Government Code section 12940(a), “it is an unlawful employment practice for an employer, because of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, or sexual orientation of any person, to refuse to hire or employ the person…or to discriminate against the person in compensation or in terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.”
Bryn Gallagher, an associate attorney with CPSM, says that when determining whether discrimination has occurred, it is often helpful to look at the woman's initial pay, pay over time, types of assignments and whether promotions were given, and then compare this to male workers in the same business and position. When employers, supervisors, or co-workers violate federal and state laws providing equal rights in the workplace, employees suffer lost wages, damage to their careers, and emotional distress.
If you are experiencing workplace harassment or gender discrimination, the lawyers at Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason can help. With more than 30 years of experience, CPSM attorneys, such as Renken and Gallagher, are aggressive, skilled and persistent advocates who fight against any form of discrimination or negligence. CPSM is dedicated to protecting the lives of workers across the nation.
About CPSM
Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason, a California based law firm, fights for the rights of those that have been wrongfully harmed, terminated or discriminated against, and has a long history of success in getting just compensation for their clients. If you or a loved one has been injured or discriminated against in the workplace, call to speak to one of our experienced attorneys at 1-800-440-4262.