San Diego discrimination
San Diego Discrimination Lawyer
Passed over, pushed out, or targeted at work in San Diego? FEHA protects you at employers with five or more employees.
This page covers discrimination for San Diego employees. For the statewide rules see California workplace discrimination, and for other San Diego claims see the San Diego hub.
Your Deadline Is Already Running
Three years to file with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), the state agency that handles discrimination complaints, then one year from the right to sue letter.
See the full deadline table.
What Counts as Illegal Discrimination in San Diego?
Under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), the state’s main workplace discrimination law, an employer with five or more employees cannot treat you worse because of a protected trait: race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age 40 and over, disability, medical condition, marital status, and more.
FEHA damages are uncapped, and it reaches smaller employers than federal law. We never apply EEOC deadlines to a FEHA claim.
How Discrimination Shows up in San Diego Workplaces
Biotech. Age discrimination in layoffs, the senior scientist pattern, and pregnancy discrimination in startup cultures that punish leave.
Defense contractors. Disability accommodation refusals wrapped in clearance or fitness for duty language, and national origin screening beyond what export rules actually require.
Healthcare. Pregnancy and disability accommodation failures in 12 hour shift scheduling.
Tourism. National origin and immigration status discrimination against hotel and kitchen staff, with SB 294 notice rights.
What Evidence Wins These Cases?
Comparator evidence, timing, written comments, and layoff selection data, plus the interactive process paper trail for disability claims. See the evidence checklist.
How Do I File, CRD or EEOC?
The CRD, formerly DFEH, right to sue path, with a three year deadline, filed online through CCRS from San Diego. The nearest CRD offices are Riverside and Los Angeles. Dual filing with the EEOC, the federal agency that handles job discrimination complaints, is available.
Where would it be heard? San Diego Superior Court, Hall of Justice, or the Southern District of California for federal claims. For most employees, FEHA in state court is the default, with uncapped damages and broader coverage.
Find Out Where You Stand
Three questions and a phone number. An attorney reads every one, and you hear back within one business day.
San Diego Discrimination FAQ
I was fired at 55 and replaced by someone younger. Is that a case?
It can be. The layoff selection data and comparators build it.
I was denied a stool or a schedule change for pregnancy. Is that illegal?
Likely. Pregnancy accommodation is required on your provider advice.
Can They Ask About My Immigration Status?
Status based coercion is unlawful, and SB 294 adds notice rights.
Does a Five Person Shop Count Under FEHA?
Yes. Discrimination protection starts at five employees, one for harassment.
Employment Law Resources
- California Civil Rights Department, FEHA protected classes and CCRS filing: calcivilrights.ca.gov
- Government Code section 12940, unlawful employment practices: leginfo
- SB 294, Workplace Know Your Rights Act: leginfo
- U.S. EEOC, filing a charge and FEHA dual filing: eeoc.gov
Tell Us What Happened
One business day for a response. You pay nothing unless we win.