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California Employment Law Glossary

FEHA Claims
Workplace Discrimination

 

Definition


 

The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) is California's primary anti-discrimination statute and is broader than federal Title VII and the ADA in both coverage and available remedies. FEHA covers employers with five or more employees, protects a wider range of characteristics, and allows employees to recover emotional distress damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees. Filing a complaint with the Civil Rights Department (CRD) is generally required before a FEHA lawsuit can be filed in court.


Frequently Asked Questions

FEHA is California's state anti-discrimination law. It covers smaller employers than federal Title VII, protects more categories of workers, and allows for broader damages, including emotional distress and punitive damages.

Yes, in most cases. You generally must file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department and receive a right-to-sue notice before filing a FEHA lawsuit in court.

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This glossary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship with Lawyers for Employee and Consumer Rights. Laws change - for advice specific to your situation, contact our office for a free case review.