According to the California State Senate, protected classes include: Race All employees have the right to a workplace free of being discriminated against. LA Civil Rights has the authority to enforce the City's Civil and Human Rights Law, which prohibits discrimination in the private sector areas.To "discriminate" against someone means to treat that person differently, or less favorably, for some reason. If you believe you have been discriminated against, you may complete and submit the Complaint of Discriminatory Treatment form. What types of employment discrimination do federal laws prohibit? Discrimination is the unfair or prejudicial treatment of people and groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, or sexual orientation. Discrimination is the unfair or prejudicial treatment of people and groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, or sexual orientation. There is a fair amount of confusion between the commonly used definition of discrimination and how the law actually defines discrimination. The Los Angeles Civil and Human Rights Law, established under Article 16, Chapter IV of the. Finally, employers who are in the same protected class as you can still discriminate.