Everyone deserves to work in a harassment-free environment, but unfortunately, this is not always the experience people have. If you have undergone or are currently experiencing any form of sexual discrimination or harassment, hiring a Sierra Madre, CA, sexual harassment lawyer can be the first step you take to create a safer work environment for you and your colleagues.
Advantage Advocates has dedicated their practice to identifying unlawful behaviors in the workplace and securing just outcomes for workers.
In the state of California, sexual harassment is considered any action or behavior based on sex that produces a hostile, offensive, or intimidating workplace environment. Sexual harassment directly violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act. It takes only one act of this to be guilty of sexual harassment.
In addition to singular experiences with sexual harassment, there is also the overarching label of “hostile work environment.” This can be defined as when the harassment leads to pervasive and severe behaviors in the workplace, which may lead to an impact outside of work. A hostile work environment includes but is not limited to the following:
Sexual harassment is considered unlawful, and you have a right to take legal action. Having an experienced lawyer advocating for you will benefit you in many ways. Not only will their legal knowledge help you through the various legal processes, but they will be able to offer you comfort and wisdom as you face this difficult time.
Pervasive sexual harassment can lead to declining mental and physical health, both at and outside of the workplace. You deserve to feel safe at work, and our experienced employment lawyers at Advantage Advocates will help you move toward that reality.
In the state of California, it is illegal for a company to not have a written policy regarding sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace, including retaliation prevention. If more than 10% of employees are non-English speakers, the policy must be made available in their language(s).
This policy must list all protected parties (i.e. sex, gender, age, race, etc.), explain that no one in the workplace can sexually harass any other member, and include a clear process to be initiated if the policy is broken. While complete confidentiality is not required, employers should keep things as confidential as they can.
When harassment turns into assault, it is considered a criminal offense. This includes rape, assault, attempted rape, or assault, forcing a victim to perform or witness sexual acts, fondling or groping, and unwanted sexual touching. If this has happened to you or someone you know, do not hesitate to call 911, as your safety is of the utmost importance.
Escalation from sexual harassment to sexual assault enables the court to prosecute in both criminal and civil court. For criminal cases, the state can charge the assaulter, and they may be forced to serve jail time. For civil cases, the punishment is financial. An employer may be held accountable by being ordered to provide you with a form of monetary compensation.
The cost of hiring a harassment lawyer will vary depending on the details of your case. We understand how hard it is to come forward about sexual harassment and the courage it takes to try and do something to stop it. We want to honor you by offering a free consultation, where we will be able to break down what it will cost and how we will go about assisting you in your pursuit of justice.
In California, sexual harassment lawsuits go through civil court. The first step is to inform your lawyer of the harassment you are experiencing. Next, file a harassment claim with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), then obtain a “Right to Sue” letter from the CRD. This letter allows you to sue your employer for sexual harassment in the workplace.
Documentation is crucial when proving harassment in California. Having an ongoing record of various offenses via email, text, or coworker corroboration can be essential in building your case. It also helps to make your employer aware of what is going on. You will be unable to claim for sexual harassment if your employer is uninformed of the harassment. Keeping all of this in mind will help you build a stronger case.
Sadly, this is usually not an option. While emotional distress is an unfortunate side effect of sexual harassment in the workplace, filing a claim with the Employment Development Department (EDD) is not really an option. Hiring a Sierra Madre, CA, sexual harassment lawyer is a wise course of action for building a strong civil court case and getting the most out of this unfortunate situation.
You deserve to feel safe and respected at work, and with the help of an experienced and compassionate lawyer, you can start the legal process right now. Contact us today for your free consultation. Advantage Advocates wants to help you get justice and create a safer work environment for you and your team.