What are the Protected Categories Under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)?

Protected categories include, but are not necessarily limited to, sex, gender, race, ancestry, national origin, color, sexual orientation, religion, disability (including HIV/AIDS diagnosis), marital status, age (40 and over), medical condition, refusal of family care leave.

The protected category may also include when an employee refuses to engage in illegal activity, refuses to cover up illegal activity, an employer has previously refused leave for an employee's serious, health condition, pregnancy disability leave, or when an employer retaliates based upon an employee's truthfully complaining or testifying regarding wrongdoing by the employer.

Federal and other state law may provide additional protections which are not discussed here and personal consultation with an experienced attorney should be made before making any decisions with respect to any particular case.