Both Federal and California state laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of an individual’s national origin. In addition, California and Federal law prohibit discrimination against a person because he or she is associated with an individual of a particular national origin.National origin broadly refers to the country where a person was born or where his or her ancestry comes from, and it includes any display of the physical and cultural traits of a particular national group. National origin generally means “ancestry” and does not refer to citizenship.

National origin discrimination occurs when an employer discriminates against an employee on the basis of his or her national origin and/or ancestry. Even if the employer believes that an employee has a certain nationality and discriminates against the employee because of his belief even though the employee does not have that nationality, the employer can still be held liable.

Also, if an employer has a rule that requires employees to speak only English at all times on the job this may be a form of national origin discrimination. To rebut this presumption an employer must show that it is necessary for conducting business. If an employer believes the English-only rule is critical for business purposes, employees have to be told when they must speak English and the consequences for violating the rule. Any negative employment decision based on breaking the English-only rule will be considered evidence of discrimination if the employer did not tell employees of the rule.

In a lawsuit brought for national origin discrimination, an employee is entitled to lost wages, damages for pain and suffering, possible attorney fees and costs, and possible punitive damages.
Stephen Danz & Associates is California’s largest statewide law firm that’s dedicated to representing employees in disputes against their employers.  Stephen Danz & Associates based in Los Angeles, California, protects clients from retaliation, discrimination, and harassment involving dismissal, demotion, or denial of accommodation based on age, race, sex, religion, color, sexual orientation, marital status, association, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected classifications.  Additionally we represent employees in they have not been paid the proper wages including overtime or minimum wage or given the proper meal breaks.  If you believe that you are the victim of discrimination, please contact our National Origin Lawyers in Los Angeles to setup your free consultation .  We take cases on a contingency basis and collect no attorney fees unless we win your case.