Riverside Sexual Harassment Attorney

Sexual harassment, in its various forms, can make the workplace unbearable. If you have experienced sexual harassment at work, though it is deplorable, you are far from alone. Help is available.

Sexual harassment in the workplace is illegal. At Aegis Law, our Riverside employment law attorneys can help you seek justice.

How Aegis Law Can Help if You Have Been Sexually Harassed On-The-Job

• Our attorneys specialize in taking on sexual harassment cases. Our firm is a leader in employment law representation in Southern California.
• Our results speak for themselves. We have secured over $300 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients in recent years. We are driven to provide the results our clients deserve.
• Our client’s satisfaction and peace of mind are foremost in our minds as we serve those who have entrusted their lawsuits and livelihoods to us.

What is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment occurs when there are sexual advances or requests for sexual favors that are unwelcome and inappropriate. These advances may or may not be verbal as well as physical. The unwanted sexual conduct creates an antagonistic, often intimidating work environment for the person on the receiving end of the harassment.

Not only is sexual harassment abusive and inappropriate, it is also illegal. It can involve unwanted verbal abuse, comments, or conduct driven by a person’s gender, sex, or sexual orientation. This unwanted misconduct violates the rights of the individual experiencing it and may have a negative impact on their mental health, safety, and their well-being.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission tells us that sexual harassment is disturbingly common in the workplace, as many as one out of four women have been sexually harassed, and one out of five men have experienced sexual harassment as well. Online, you find story after story of sexual harassment at work thanks to the #metoo movement.

Workplace sexual harassment can occur in many different forms. Among the most common are:

• Unwanted sexual advances and conduct
• Inappropriately propositioning for sexual favors
• Sexually natured physical and verbal harassment
• Quid pro quo, which simply refers to exchanging employment benefits or conditions for sexual favors
• Offensive comments about a person’s gender or sex
• Creating an environment that is unsafe or hostile

A qualified California employment attorney with experience in sexual harassment cases can help you discern whether your specific circumstances warrant a lawsuit.

Types of Sexual Harassment We Handle

Our firm handles both primary forms of sexual harassment recognized under California law.

Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment

Quid pro quo harassment occurs when a supervisor or person in authority ties employment decisions to sexual conduct. This type of claim focuses on whether job benefits or consequences were linked to accepting or rejecting advances. Examples may include:

• Offering a promotion, raise, or favorable assignment in exchange for a personal relationship.
  
• Suggesting that continued employment depends on complying with requests.
• A supervisor hints that schedule cuts can be avoided in exchange for sexual favors
  
• A supervisor hints that layoffs or schedule cuts can be avoided in exchange for sexual favors.
• A manager suggests that poor performance reviews can be “overlooked” if the employee agrees to a personal relationship.
• Taking negative action after an employee rejects advances.

These cases often involve a clear power imbalance. Even a single incident may be enough to support a claim if a tangible employment decision is involved.

Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment

A hostile work environment claim is based on repeated or severe conduct that interferes with an employee’s ability to work. Unlike quid pro quo claims, these cases focus on the overall atmosphere rather than a single decision. This may involve:

• Persistent comments, jokes, or remarks of a sexual nature.
• Conduct that creates discomfort, intimidation, or exclusion. For example, coworkers sharing explicit images, videos, or messages in group chats or common work areas.
• A supervisor or coworker regularly standing too close, invading personal space, or creating physical discomfort without direct contact.
• Behavior that becomes normalized within the workplace over time. For instance, ongoing use of sexually suggestive nicknames or terms. 

Courts look at the frequency and severity of the conduct, as well as its impact on the employee’s work conditions. Even if no direct employment action occurs, the environment itself may be unlawful if it becomes abusive or offensive.

What You Should Do If You Experience Sexual Harassment at Work

Sexual harassment can dramatically impact your career, relationships, and even your mental and physical health. This should never happen, especially in what should be a safe environment. It is hard to know your next steps if you are sexually harassed on the job.

If you are experiencing sexual harassment at work, there are several steps you can take:

• Speak with an experienced sexual harassment employment attorney to protect your legal rights. Among these rights is the right to file suit against your employer, which includes the physical, emotional, and financial damages caused by the incident.
• Your comfort and safety at work are paramount. If your safety is compromised, let the offender know their advances are unwelcome or that their harassment has been noted. This keeps the wrongdoer from making the excuse that they did not realize their conduct was offensive to you.
• Keep detailed records of everything you experience, as your lawsuit could rely on these written records. Documentation will help you to verify your side of events. Note when and where the harassment occurred, identify the harasser, detail the incident, if promises, bargains, or threats were made, including these, as well as the tone and significance of any comments or physical contact.
• Confide in trusted friends, family members, or co-workers. If your case goes to court, these people can testify to the seriousness of the situation. Make notes about who you speak with, when, and the details of the communication.
• Request an employee performance report. Employers typically have one on hand detailing how their employees are performing at work. Being in possession of this document can prove that you were doing your job as expected if there is a temptation to claim you were incompetent.
• Secure the documents. Do not store them in an area where your employer or the person harassing you can access them. Keep this information at home, and make copies to leave in several locations.

Laws That Protect You From Sexual Harassment in Riverside

California law provides strong protections against workplace sexual harassment, and they apply to most employees in Riverside. The primary law is the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Government Code §12940(j)(1) states, “Harassment of an employee… because of sex… is unlawful.” FEHA protects employees from harassment based on sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. It applies to employers with five or more employees and covers both supervisors and coworkers.

Employer’s Duty

California law also places a duty on employers to take preventive action. Government Code §12940(k) provides, “An employer… shall take all reasonable steps necessary to prevent discrimination and harassment from occurring.”

This means employers must implement policies, provide training, and respond to complaints in a timely and effective manner.

Federal Laws on Sexual Harassment 

In addition to state law, federal protections exist under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law applies to employers with 15 or more employees and makes it unlawful to discriminate or harass employees based on sex. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces these protections and investigates claims.

California law often provides broader coverage than federal law, including applying to smaller employers and allowing for expanded remedies. In many cases, claims may proceed under both state and federal law depending on the circumstances.

Potential Damages You May Be Eligible to Recover if You Are Sexually Harassed at Work

To recover some of what you lost due to being sexually harassed, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation to cover the physical, emotional, and financial toll the misconduct had on you. Among these damages are compensatory and punitive damages. They can include monetary recovery for the following:

• Emotional distress
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Physical injuries or harm
• Lost income
• Legal fees
• Medical expenses for past, present and future treatment due to being sexually harassed

Contact a Riverside Sexual Harassment Employment Attorney For Help

If you have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, one of the experienced employment attorneys at Aegis Law is ready to help. We will ensure your rights are protected, deadlines for filing are met, and your peace of mind is safeguarded. Let us handle the uncomfortable communications and the details for you so you can focus on healing from this difficult experience. Reach out for a free consultation today.