Sexual Harassment

Employees should not be subject to sexual harassment in the workplace. And if such harassment does occur, employers should take proper action to rectify the situation and ensure their employees feel safe. Sexual harassment can take various forms, ranging from lewd comments to forced sexual acts. If you've been sexually harassed at work, you have legal recourse. Orange County sexual harassment lawyers at the Serendib Law Firm assist employees who have been subject to workplace sexual harassment pursue proper action against the party or parties responsible. Legal action is important not only to get justice for victims, but also to help ensure such harassment does not continue. If you have questions about your legal rights and options after suffering sexual harassment at work, call the Serendib Law Firm at 1-800-LAW-8225 (800- 529-8825) or contact us online today to speak with an attorney.

Federally, pursuant to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sexual harassment is defined as "unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature." In California, under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), sexual harassment encompasses inappropriate conduct in the workplace that is motivated by unlawful reasons, such as sex or gender. Any gender can be the harasser or victim. Additionally, in situations where harassment is in the form of an unwelcome comment or joke, those actions constitute harassment whether they are in person or by email, phone, or text. If you have been subject to any of these unwanted behaviors in an Orange County workplace, attorneys from the Serendib Law Firm can help you determine your next legal step.

In California, sexual harassment is classified in two groups. 'Quid pro quo' sexual harassment occurs between a person of power and a subordinate employee. This type of harassment occurs when the superior threatens or coerces a victim to engage in sexual activity in order to advance their career, receive a raise, or even just keep their job. Some examples of quid pro quo sexual harassment include threats of adverse action if an employee refuses to go on a date or an offering an employee a raise in exchange for sexual favors.

The second classification of workplace sexual harassment is creation of a 'hostile work environment.' In hostile work environments, employees are made to feel uncomfortable or intimidated at work. A victim could be subject to unwanted sexual advances, inappropriate jokes, propositions, or displays. Actions that can lead to a hostile work environment may include hanging of sexually explicit posters; suggestive, consistent touching; recurring flirting or staring; as well as abusive or persistent teasing. If you think you have been forced to work under hostile conditions at work, a seasoned Orange County sexual harassment lawyer can assist you in assessing your legal options.

Employees who have been sexually harassed at work can file complaints against co-workers, supervisors, or other parties who have engaged in offenses. If you have reported sexual harassment to your employer and they fail to take action or engage in retaliation also be held accountable. It is important to note that retaliation can take other forms other than terminating employment. Retaliation can also include an employee's demotion, unwarranted disciplinary actions, denial of earned raises, unjustified negative performance reviews, and further aggravation of a hostile work environment.

Employees should feel safe at work, and not have to endure sexual propositions from superiors or be subject to a hostile work environment in any way. Those who engage in harassing behavior and employers that allow it to continue in the workplace need to be held accountable for the harm that results. The Orange County sexual harassment attorneys at the Serendib Law Firm are committed to making sure employees' legal rights are properly asserted and represented. Our firm assists clients across Southern California including Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties. If you need legal assistance with a sexual harassment claim, call our office today at 1-800-LAW-8225 (800-529-8825) or contact us online to find out more about how we can help.