Workplace Sexual Harassment
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. Harris Grombchevsky LLP 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.
Contact us online or call (888) 427-8064 for a free and confidential case evaluation with our Orange County sexual harassment lawyers at Harris Grombchevsky LLP. We serve clients in Orange and throughout Orange County.
Why Choose Our Workplace Sexual Harassment Lawyers in SoCal?
- For years, our firm has maintained a legacy of highest ethical standards
- We have recovered millions of dollars for clients
- Our team is backed by numerous 5-star reviews from clients
- Our employment law firm is highly respected by our peers
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.
How to Deal with Sexual Harassment at Work in CA
An employee that is the target of sexual harassment must at least remember to do two things.
- First, make sure the harasser clearly knows that their conduct is unwelcome.
- Second, make sure that the employer knows of the situation, preferably in writing. If the sexual harassment continues, it is important to speak with a Orange County workplace sexual harassment lawyer. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and make sure they are protected in your workplace.
Sex-based harassment that is not of a sexual nature, also known as gender-based harassment, is also illegal. An example of this would be a supervisor who makes frequent derogatory comments about women and constantly refers to female employees using slurs or offensive language. It is also possible to be sexually harassed by a member of the same sex; if the offensive conduct occurred because of your gender, it fits the legal definition of sexual harassment.
Compensation for Workplace Sexual Harassment in California
If you have been subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace anywhere in the Orange County area, from Orange County and San Diego to Los Angeles and Riverside, you should be made aware of your legal rights under California and federal law.
In California, the Fair Employment and Housing Act protects individuals from sexual harassment at work. No one should have to put up with workplace sexual harassment. Beyond this, sexual harassment is unlawful and you may seek compensation for damages. Compensation may include back pay, front pay, policy changes, actual damages, damages for emotional distress, attorney fees, and punitive damages. No limit exists on the amount of damages you may recover in a case of sexual harassment.
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.
Categories of Sexual Harassment Claims
- Unwanted sexual advances: these claims usually consist of offering employment benefits in exchange for sexual favors, often referred to as quid pro quo.
- Hostile work environment: these claims can involve visual conduct such as displaying sexual pictures, verbal conduct such as making sexual comments or jokes, and physical conduct such as touching someone.
- Retaliation: these claims occur when an employer threatens or retaliates against someone for complaining about unwanted sexual advances or a hostile work environment.
Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment in Orange County, CA
Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when an employee is subjected to sexual conduct or favors in order to receive job benefits, an increase in salary, or job promotion. To establish a quid pro quo claim under Title VII of the EEOC an employee must prove
- They were subjected to unwelcomed or unwanted sexual advances, conduct, or comments by a supervisor or someone with higher authority.
- The harassment was sexual in nature.
- The employee's reaction of the harassment affected tangible aspects of the employee's employment or compensation.
Sexual Jokes in the Workplace
Sexual joking in the workplace which is repeated or pervasive can be considered a form of sexual harassment. This type of behavior can include crude, sexually explicit jokes, stories or anecdotes about sexual activity which is considered "funny" by the instigator, and unwanted sexual discussions. If you have been the target of such behavior, initiated without your consent, and which you consider offensive, you may be involved in a case of sexual harassment or a hostile work environment.
Under such circumstances, you should let your employer know about the situation by alerting your supervisor or other appropriate workplace personnel, such as a human resources person, in order to resolve it. If your communication about the harassment is not taken seriously, is ignored, doesn't resolve the matter, or results in some type of retaliation against you, you should seek professional legal assistance.
Employer Liability for Sexual Harassment in California
Employers can be held liable for a supervisor's sexual harassment regardless of if they were aware of the supervisor's harassment. A supervisor's sexual harassment need only occur once to make a quid pro quo case, it is not necessary that the harassment be ongoing. While most quid pro quo cases involve heterosexual harassment, they can also take the form of same-sex harassment.
Call an Orange County Workplace Sexual Harassment Lawyer
Ours is one of the first employment law firms in Orange County. When you retain an Orange County workplace sexual harassment attorney from Harris Grombchevsky LLP, you can be sure of seasoned and effective legal representation. We will help you understand your rights as well as your legal options, guiding you through each step of the filing process so that you are protected from further harassment. Our firm has been practicing in Orange County for over 90 years and has the experience, determination, and reputation needed to get results.
Sexual harassment in the workplace is against the law in California. Our legal team handles many workplace sexual harassment cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no legal fees unless we are successful in recovering compensation for you. We urge you to consult with a Orange County sexual harassment lawyer at the firm at your earliest convenience if you have been subjected to workplace sexual harassment or sex discrimination anywhere in the Orange County region from San Diego and Orange County to Los Angeles and Riverside.
Contact our firm at (888) 427-8064 to or online speak with a Orange County workplace sexual harassment attorney. We serve clients in Irvine and throughout Orange County.
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