Employees deserve a workplace that is free from harassment and discrimination which allows them to excel in their job duties. Workers have long fought to obtain the right to a safe workplace, but instances of misconduct still occur throughout the nation. Sexual harassment is one type of misconduct that continues to plague work spaces in Los Angeles.
Sexual harassment can cause considerable damage to an employee’s well-being and creates a hostile work environment. While it may be uncomfortable to address sexual harassment, fighting for a welcoming work environment will empower you to hold your employer accountable while protecting others who may be afraid to speak up on their own.
Don’t face sexual harassment alone. An attorney with Levian Law work tirelessly to hold employers accountable for allowing discriminatory conduct. I am an experienced trial lawyer who strives to effectively resolve employment matters that severely impact your personal and professional life.
Sexual Harassment In Los Angeles
Under California law, it is unlawful to harass a job applicant or employee on the basis of sex. Victims of sexual harassment in Los Angeles have the right to pursue legal action against fellow employees and employers who commit or encourage sexual harassment.
The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) handles sexual harassment claims at the federal level and defines sexual harassment as “any comments, gestures, statements, requests, or other verbal conduct or sexual nature that makes a workplace intimidating, offensive, or hostile.”
The following actions may be considered sexual harassment:
- Actual or attempted rape or sexual assault
- Requests for sexual favors
- Unwanted and deliberate touching, leaning over, cornering, or groping of an employee
- Unwanted sexual glances or gestures
- Sexual comments, jokes, or personal questions
- Sexually explicit communications like letters, phone calls, or text messages.
- Pressuring an employee to go on a date. Repeated requests for dates
- Catcalling
- Poor treatment of an employee because he or she does not conform to gender roles
- And many more
Sexual harassment can take place between employees regardless of job titles. An employee facing sexual harassment from a supervisor or third-party worker will have the same protections available to her regardless of the working relationship. Additionally, sexual harassment must be unwelcome to make a valid case against it. It is irrelevant whether the victim and the perpetrator are of the opposite or same sex.
Victims may also include witnesses who observe the harassment and are negatively impacted by it. Victims may take action against sexual harassment without being fired from the workplace or economically harmed.
Federal And State Protections For Victims Of Sexual Harassment
An employee’s greatest fear when considering taking legal action against her employer is usually retaliation from her employer. Although retaliating against an employee for speaking up about unlawful conduct is illegal, many employers may still attempt to push back against the employee in a number of ways:
- Firing the employee
- Demoting the employee
- Withholding wages
- Increasing the level of harassment
- Relocating the worker
- Reducing the employee’s scheduled hours
Employees who act against sexual harassment should document any behavior that may be construed as retaliation and discuss it with a sexual harassment attorney as soon as possible. Employers may be held accountable for more than one action.
Fighting Sexual Harassment In Los Angeles
When you decide to fight against sexual harassment, your first action should be to bring the behavior to the attention of your supervisor or human resources department. You may also wish to contact Levian Law for guidance on how to address the problem. If your employer fails to address the situation, you may have a case.
Contact Levian Law for a free consultation regarding your sexual harassment case. Call (888) 694-8869 or complete our contact form.
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