Unlawful treatment of an employee or job applicant because of a protected characteristic such as race, gender, age, religion, disability, or other traits (we’ll detail all protected categories under California law in Section IV). Discrimination can affect hiring, promotions, pay, job assignments, or termination decisions (calcivilrights.ca.gov) (calcivilrights.ca.gov).

Unwanted conduct or a hostile work environment targeted at an employee based on protected traits – for example, sexual harassment or racial slurs. California law strictly prohibits workplace harassment and holds employers accountable for preventing and addressing it.

Being fired or forced to quit for an unlawful reason. Even though California is an at-will state, if you are terminated for discriminatory reasons, for reporting legal violations, for exercising your legal rights, or in violation of an employment contract or public policy, it may be a wrongful termination (more on at-will limits in Section II).

Punishment or adverse actions taken by an employer because an employee complained about unlawful conduct or asserted their rights. For instance, demoting or firing someone because they reported harassment, wage violations, or unsafe conditions is illegal retaliation.

Denial of rightful leave or benefits. This can include refusing legally mandated sick leave or family medical leave, or firing someone for taking protected leave (such as time off for a serious health condition, bonding with a new child, or military service). California provides strong leave entitlements (see Section VI), and employers cannot retaliate against you for using them.