My boss harasses, threatens or discriminates against me
Name what is happening, keep notes and file a complaint.
4 steps
Step 1 of 4: Name what is happening
Pick the one closest to your situation.
Do one of these:
- Discrimination at WorkNot every bad boss breaks the law. But if you are treated worse because of who you are, such as your race, where you come from, your accent, your sex, your age or your religion, that can be illegal in California. Here is how to tell, with or without papers, and what to do next.Guide
- Sexual Harassment at WorkSexual harassment at work is against the law in California, at every job, with or without papers. It is not your fault, and you do not have to put up with it to keep your job. Here is what to do first, how to report it, and how to protect yourself if you decide to leave.Guide
- Boss Immigration ThreatA boss who threatens to call immigration is trying to make you stay quiet. In California, using that threat to punish you for speaking up is against the law, and you can act on it. Here is what to do today, how to file a complaint, and how to protect yourself and your family while you decide.Guide
- When a boss hurts, traps or liesNo job gives your boss the right to hit you, lock you in, take your papers, or lie to get you to work. These are serious wrongs under California law, and some are crimes. Here is how to stay safe, what the law calls each one, and where to get help.Guide
Step 2 of 4: Protect yourself from payback
Retaliation for speaking up can be illegal.
- Illegal retaliation at workIf your boss punished you for speaking up about pay, safety or your rights, that may be illegal retaliation. California law protects you, and in some cases presumes your boss acted for that reason. Here is how to tell, what to write down, and where to file before the deadline.Guide
- Retaliation timelinePrint it and fill it in by handChecklist
Step 3 of 4: File a complaint
There are deadlines, so do not wait too long.
- File a Discrimination ComplaintIf you were treated worse at work because of who you are, you can file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. You can file on your own, online, by phone, by mail or in person, and the department does not ask about immigration status. Here is how to file, what to have ready, and what happens next.Guide
- Before I file with the Civil Rights DepartmentPrint it and fill it in by handChecklist
Step 4 of 4: Get help from a person
You do not have to do this alone. Ask about cost, languages and current openings before you share documents.
- California Civil Rights Department resources for immigrantsThe state Civil Rights Department explains how California law protects everyone, regardless of immigration status, from discrimination, hate violence and human trafficking. It accepts complaints and describes how it can support some victims seeking U visas, T visas or deferred action.Organization
- California worker rights regardless of immigration statusThe California Department of Industrial Relations answers common questions from workers: labor laws apply equally to all workers regardless of immigration status, and employers may not retaliate by threatening to report a worker to immigration.Organization
- Legal Aid at WorkFree legal information and advice for low-income California workers about pay, discrimination, leave and retaliation, with help in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese and other languages. Call 415-864-8848 or start online.Organization
This page puts DNLH guides in a useful order. It is general information, not legal advice. Each guide shows its sources and the date its facts were checked.
Not quite your situation?
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