An employer cannot fire, demote, refuse to hire, or take other job actions concerning employees based on the employee’s

  • race,
  • religion,
  • color,
  • ancestry,
  • disability,
  • gender,
  • veteran status, or
  • any other protected class.

For example, if a clothing store decides to give raises only to non-Latino employees because it wants the store’s appearance to match a changing community, then that would be employment discrimination.

Another example, if a large car dealership decides to fire the one employee who refuses to work on Saturday because of his religious beliefs, then that would be employment discrimination.

See, Government Code, § 12940.