Central Coast Sex Discrimination Attorney
Top Sex Discrimination Lawyer on the Central Coast:
Fighting for Your Right to Fair Treatment at Work
If you live or work along California’s Central Coast — in Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, or San Benito County and beyond— you deserve to feel respected, valued, and safe at your job. Sadly, many people encounter workplace discrimination because of their sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It’s unfair, and it’s illegal.
I’m John McCarthy. I fight for employees who experience discrimination and unfair treatment. You have rights, and you don’t need to face this battle alone. Let’s walk through the types of discrimination that affect people across the Central Coast and what you can do if it happens to you.
What Is Sex Discrimination?
Sex discrimination occurs when someone is treated unfairly at work because of their sex or gender. Employers are legally required to ensure that people of all sexes, sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities have equal opportunities, wages, and workplace protections. Despite these laws, many workers continue to face unfair treatment.
Discrimination doesn’t just happen in obvious ways like harassment or inappropriate comments. It can also be subtle, like being passed over for promotions, given lower wages, or excluded from projects and leadership roles.
Common examples of sex discrimination include:
A woman not being considered for a leadership role despite being equally or more qualified than male coworkers.
Men being discouraged or criticized for taking paternity leave.
Non-binary employees facing resistance or being dismissed when asserting their needs.
Whether you work in tech, education, agriculture, hospitality, or healthcare, these protections apply to you. If you’ve experienced discrimination in Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, or any surrounding areas, I’m here to help you fight back.
Pregnancy Discrimination: Protecting Your Right to Work and Raise a Family
California law prohibits pregnancy discrimination. Unfortunately, it’s still common for pregnant employees to face unfair treatment or even retaliation. Pregnancy shouldn’t interfere with your ability to work, nor should it cost you your job.
Some employers make the false assumption that pregnant employees are unreliable or unfit for work. Others refuse to provide accommodations for pregnancy-related needs. These actions are illegal and hurt not only employees but also their families.
Examples of pregnancy discrimination include:
Being denied promotions or forced to take leave after announcing your pregnancy.
An employer refusing to accommodate a doctor’s recommendation for lighter duties or more breaks.
Retaliation for requesting pregnancy or family leave under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA).
If you’re a pregnant employee working in Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Paso Robles, or anywhere else in California, your employer is legally required to provide reasonable accommodations and protect your job. Whether you need time off to recover from childbirth or temporary adjustments to your workload, I can help make sure your rights are respected.
Sexual Orientation Discrimination: Everyone Deserves Equal Treatment
California’s laws protect employees from discrimination based on their sexual orientation. Whether you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or queer, your employer must treat you the same as they treat other employees. You should never be judged, excluded, or harassed because of who you love or who you are.
Discrimination can take many forms, such as inappropriate jokes, unequal treatment, exclusion from key opportunities, or even wrongful termination. These behaviors are illegal, and you don’t have to tolerate them.
Examples of sexual orientation discrimination include:
Being overlooked for promotions or given fewer hours because of your orientation.
Facing verbal harassment or offensive comments from coworkers or supervisors.
Exclusion from company activities or meetings based on personal biases.
Whether you work at a tech startup in Santa Cruz, a tourism business in Santa Barbara, or a restaurant in Monterey, you deserve to feel safe and valued. If you’ve experienced discrimination because of your sexual orientation, I’ll fight for you to ensure that you receive justice and fair treatment.
Gender Identity Discrimination: Your Identity Deserves Respect
Gender identity discrimination occurs when someone is treated unfairly or harassed because of their gender identity or expression. This includes individuals who identify as transgender, non-binary, or gender-nonconforming. Under California law, employees have the right to express their gender identity without fear of discrimination, exclusion, or mistreatment.
The Central Coast is generally welcoming and progressive, but unfortunately, discrimination still occurs. Whether you work in agriculture, education, retail, or hospitality, your gender identity should never be used as an excuse to treat you unfairly.
Examples of gender identity discrimination include:
Refusing to use an employee’s correct pronouns.
Denying access to restrooms or facilities that align with an employee’s gender identity.
Criticizing or retaliating against employees for how they dress or express themselves.
Ignoring complaints of harassment or failing to implement inclusive policies.
Gender identity is a deeply personal part of who you are, and no one should have to compromise that to keep their job. If you’ve experienced discrimination based on your gender identity, I’ll help you hold your employer accountable and fight for the dignity and respect you deserve.
How I Help Victims of Discrimination
I know how overwhelming it can feel to take on an employer, especially if you’re already facing stress and unfair treatment at work. That’s why I’m here to guide you through every step of the process. My practice focuses on helping underdogs, and I’ve dedicated my career to standing up for people who have been wronged by employers.
Whether you work in Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, or San Benito County, I offer free case evaluations to listen to your story and help you explore your options. If you have a case I think I can help with, we’ll work together to fight for justice. If not, I’ll make sure you know what steps to take next.
What Happens When You File a Discrimination Claim
Filing a claim can feel intimidating, but I’ll walk with you through every step of the process. Here’s what to expect:
Free Case Evaluation: We’ll start with a confidential case evaluation. If I think I can help, I’ll schedule a free consolation. That’ll be a conversation to understand your experience and determine if you have a valid claim.
Filing with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD): We’ll submit a complaint with the CRD (formerly DFEH), which officially notifies your employer of the discrimination claim.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering: I’ll collect evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong case on your behalf.
Negotiation and Settlement: Many cases resolve through negotiation. I’ll fight for the best possible outcome to secure compensation and justice.
Trial (if necessary): If a fair resolution isn’t possible, I’m prepared to take your case to court and fight for your rights.
The process can take time, but you’ll never have to navigate it alone. I’ll be by your side, offering guidance and support throughout the entire journey.
Compensation You Could Be Entitled To Because of Sex Discrimination
If you’ve experienced sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity discrimination, you may be entitled to compensation. Here are some of the damages you might receive:
Lost Wages: Compensation for wages or benefits lost due to termination, demotion, or denied promotions.
Emotional Distress: Compensation for anxiety, stress, or emotional trauma caused by the discrimination.
Punitive Damages: Additional damages if your employer’s actions were particularly reckless or malicious.
Legal Fees: In many cases, you may recover the cost of attorney’s fees if we win your case.
Every case is unique, and I’ll work with you to pursue the best possible outcome based on your individual circumstances.
Why Choose Me as Your Central Coast Discrimination Attorney?
I understand how difficult it can be to speak up and take action against discrimination, but you don’t have to do it alone. I’m passionate about helping workers who have been wronged, and I’ve built my practice around standing up for people just like you.
Here’s what sets me apart:
Compassionate Counsel: I truly care about my clients and their well-being.
Zealous Advocacy: I’m not afraid to take on big employers and fight for what’s right.
Direct Communication: You’ll work directly with me – not a junior attorney or paralegal. You can call, email, or text anytime.
Local Expertise with a National Reputation: I live and work on the Central Coast, but I’ve built a national reputation for my ability to win tough cases.
Whether you’ve faced discrimination in Santa Cruz, Salinas, Paso Robles, Santa Maria, Monterey, or somewhere beyond, I’ll be your advocate every step of the way.
Contact Me Today for a Free Case Evaluation
If you’ve experienced sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity discrimination in the workplace, you deserve justice. You shouldn’t have to tolerate mistreatment, and with my help, you won’t have to.
I offer free, confidential case evaluations. If I can help, we’ll schedule a consultation to discuss your legal options. If I can’t, I’ll still make sure you’re pointed in the right direction.
Whether you work in Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, or Santa Barbara County, I’m here to fight for your rights and ensure you get the justice you deserve.
Let’s take the first step toward making things right. Together, we can hold your employer accountable and fight for the respect and fairness you deserve. You don’t have to go through this alone – I’ll be with you every step of the way, guiding you through the legal process and making sure your voice is heard.
You Have the Right to Be Treated Fairly – Let’s Make That Happen
Discrimination based on sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity can leave you feeling powerless, frustrated, and isolated. But the truth is, you have rights, and you don’t have to stay silent. With my help, you can take action and make sure your employer is held accountable.
If you’ve faced discrimination at work anywhere on the Central Coast – from the vineyards of Paso Robles to the tech hubs of Santa Cruz or the businesses along Cannery Row in Monterey – I’m ready to stand up for you. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, no matter who they are or what challenges they face.
Free, Confidential Case Evaluation
Your first step toward justice starts with a simple form. If you’ve experienced any form of discrimination, reach out today for a free, confidential case evaluation. There’s no pressure, no risk, and no obligation. I’ll listen to your story, help you understand your rights, and explore your options.
Your case evaluation goes directly to me. I’ll respond promptly – usually the same business day – because I know how urgent these matters can feel. If I can help, we’ll schedule a free consultation to dive deeper into your case. If not, I’ll still do everything I can to point you in the right direction.
Let’s Fight for the Justice You Deserve
Facing discrimination is never easy, but you don’t have to face it alone. I’ve helped clients across the Central Coast, throughout California, and even throughout the United States stand up against unfair treatment, win compensation, and rebuild their lives. Now, I want to help you.
Get your free case evaluation today and let’s take that first step together. Whether you’ve been discriminated against because of your sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, you have the right to fair treatment – and I’ll be by your side, fighting for you every step of the way.
You shouldn’t have to tolerate discrimination at work. With the right legal help, you won’t have to. Reach out now to get your free case evaluation, and let’s fight for the fairness and respect you deserve.