Exclusively Employment Law

The hidden truth behind downsizing

by | Jul 17, 2022 | Discrimination

There are certainly times when businesses have to downsize. Maybe a company over-hired and is now experiencing decreased revenues. The company must cut jobs or downsize as a result.

In other words, oftentimes, downsizing is necessary and completely legal. But sometimes, “downsizing” is a way for a company to illegally terminate employees on the basis of the employees’ protected characteristic.

Check your protected classes

To determine whether the purported “downsizing” is actually discrimination in disguise, figure out first whether you are in a protected class. Protected classes include, but are not limited to, religion, race, age, disability, and gender.

For instance, if all or most of the employees who were terminated as part of the “downsizing” are all age 40 or older, then the employer may be liable for age discrimination. Likewise, if all or most of the employees who were terminated as part of the “downsizing” are all females, then the employer may be liable for gender discrimination

If you believe that your employer has discriminated against you, call 916-612-0326 or email Finley Employment Law today. Finley Employment Law serves clients throughout California, including Sacramento, Roseville, Davis, Folsom, and Elk Grove.