Even if the law protects disabled employees, there are still many instances of employers treating them poorly. Before you file a complaint, you must first recognize what employers do to put down those working under them
Ways employers can discriminate against employees with disabilities
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is against the law for an employer to treat a qualified employee less favorably because of any disabilities they may have. Even if an employee excels at their job, they may still face discrimination. Though the exact circumstances vary from case to case in California, employers commonly discriminate against the disabled by:
- Refusing to provide accessible accommodations to disabled people
- Making offensive jokes and insulting people with disabilities
- Firing or demoting employees who complain about harassment
- Failing to accommodate service animals or software designed to help disabled employees
The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) also protects disabled people from discrimination, harassment and retaliation in the workplace. Other characteristics under the protection of FEHA include a person’s gender, religion, race and sexual orientation.
What can you do if your employer discriminates against you?
If an employer harasses you because of any disabilities you may have, make sure to gather evidence to prove it. This means keeping documents related to dates, locations, witnesses and what your employer explicitly did to you.
Even if you have protection from the ADA and the FEHA, employers might still try to belittle you. If this happens, it is important to remember your rights and seek compensation for any harm their actions might cause you.
