Real-life situations—examples of discrimination because of criminal record & race (or other protected characteristic)

IMPORTANT: In real life, discrimination based on your criminal record doesn’t always happen alone—it may also happen in combination with racial discrimination or other illegal discrimination based on your protected class. For example, if an employer decides not to hire you due to your criminal record AND your race, this would be ILLEGAL racial discrimination.

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  1. Can an employer discriminate against me because of my race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin?

  2. What can I do if I think an employer has treated my criminal history more harshly than other job applicants because of my race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin?

  3. I was fired or denied employment because of my visible tattoos. Do I have any legal protections against discrimination?

  4. What can I do if I feel I was illegally discriminated against by an employer?

  5. How much time do I have to file a discrimination complaint against an employer?

  6. What relief could I get if an employer illegally discriminated against me?

  7. What is the difference between filing an employment discrimination complaint with the EEOC and DFEH?

  8. How do I file a discrimination complaint with the EEOC?

  9. What happens after I file a complaint with the EEOC?

  10. How does the investigation process work?

  11. How do I file a complaint with the DFEH?

  12. What if I want to go straight to court and file a lawsuit on my own?

  13. Who can represent me if I believe I have been illegally discriminated against for a job because of my record?