Orange County Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Handling Sexual Harassment Issues in the Workplace

Employment law, discrimination, and sexual harassment cases require the representation of an Orange County workplace sexual harassment attorney with unique experience and skill. Sexual Harassment Employment Attorneys has successfully handled numerous sexual harassment and employment law cases.

Sexual harassment in the workplace can range from women who are exposed to nude pictures by male co-workers to bosses who demand sexual favors in exchange for continued employment. While sexual harassment can take many different forms, all victims tend to feel violated, almost as if they had been raped. You should never have to suffer from sexual harassment. We can help you assert your rights by filing a claim. 

This firm originally started as in insurance defense firm, and this means we have insights into how insurers, businesses, and even Fortune 500 companies fight back against employment law cases. We know how to successfully assert your rights in the face of their tactics. Discover how our experienced, creative legal advocates can help you stand up for your rights.

Contact us online or call (888) 427-8064 for a free and confidential case evaluation with our Orange County sexual harassment lawyers at Sexual Harassment Employment Attorneys. We serve clients in Orange and throughout Orange County.

What Is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a serious issue and is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. 

This law applies to employers with 15 or more employees and prohibits two primary types of sexual harassment:

• Quid Pro Quo Harassment – This occurs when a person in a position of power, such as a manager or supervisor, demands a sexual favor or relationship in exchange for an employment-related benefit. For instance, a supervisor might suggest that an employee will not receive a promotion unless they agree to dinner or a romantic relationship.
• Hostile Work Environment – A workplace becomes hostile when an employee is subjected to unwelcome sexual behavior, either verbal or physical, that is so severe or pervasive it creates an intimidating, abusive, or offensive working environment. Examples include repeated sexual jokes, inappropriate comments, or sexually explicit images displayed in the workspace.

Sexual harassment can happen to anyone, regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Both the victim and the perpetrator can be of the same sex, and the harasser could be anyone in the workplace, such as a supervisor, a colleague, a subordinate, or even a non-employee, like a client or customer.

Examples of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Sexual harassment takes many forms, ranging from blatant to more subtle misconduct. Each action has the potential to create an uncomfortable or hostile work environment if it affects an employee’s ability to perform their job. The following are examples categorized by type of behavior.

Verbal Harassment

• Sexual Comments or Jokes: Making offensive remarks about someone’s physical appearance, body, or sexual orientation.
• Suggestive Comments: Commenting on someone’s attractiveness inappropriately or making remarks that imply sexual attraction.
• Intrusive Questions: Asking about someone’s private life, such as their sexual activity or relationships.
• Unwanted Requests: Persistently asking someone out on a date or requesting sexual favors despite being told “no.”

Physical Harassment

• Unwanted Touching: Engaging in physical contact, such as hugging, kissing, or grabbing someone without their consent.
• Physical Advances: Unwelcome actions, such as getting excessively close to someone, rubbing against them, or initiating physical contact in a way that makes the person uncomfortable.

Non-Verbal Harassment

• Staring and Leering: Giving someone unwanted attention by staring suggestively or scanning their body with “elevator eyes.”
• Sexual Gestures or Expressions: Making inappropriate gestures or facial expressions that convey sexual intentions.
• Displaying Explicit Content: Putting up sexually explicit pictures or images within the workplace that are visible to others.
• Spreading Rumors: Sharing false or defamatory information about someone’s sexuality or sexual activities.

Other Examples

• Repeated compliments on an employee’s appearance that go beyond professional courtesy.
• Sending sexually suggestive text messages, emails, or notes to a colleague.
• Creating or sharing sexually charged jokes during workplace conversations or meetings.
• Repeated instances of unwanted physical contact, such as placing a hand on someone’s shoulder or back during conversations.

Sexual harassment, whether overt or subtle, disrupts the work environment by making employees feel uneasy, intimidated, or distracted. It can significantly affect their mental well-being and job performance. Taking action to report and address sexual harassment is a critical step in maintaining a respectful and legally compliant workforce.

Sexual Harassment Victims in California

Being the victim of sexual harassment in the workplace can result in personal humiliation, embarrassment, and emotional distress. It can lead to compromised work performance, defamation of character or reputation, becoming the center of gossip, and even the loss of one's job or career and a loss of income. Victims of sexual harassment may suffer negative psychological and health consequences, such as anxiety, panic attacks, depression, inability to sleep, eating disorders, alcoholism, and more.