Costa Mesa Online Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Lawyer
Costa Mesa Online Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Attorney
Dealing with a sexual harassment incident can leave you feeling insecure, violated, and embarrassed, especially if you are trying to handle it on your own without the help of experienced legal counsel. A seasoned sexual harassment lawyer can help you develop the strongest possible case to ensure that your harasser is held accountable. These days, online sexual harassment can be just as prevalent as the in-person variety, but a Costa Mesa online sexual harassment in the workplace lawyer can help.
Under California state law, any employer that has hired at least five employees must provide comprehensive sexual harassment education and prevention training. If a sexual harassment incident occurs and the employer did nothing to provide prevention training, they could be found liable for damages from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the California Department of Civil Rights.
Determining Online Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment can take any number of different forms, including offensive sexual jokes, unwanted sexual advances, and sexual threats, among other inappropriate behaviors. All forms of sexual harassment serve the same intended effect: to make the victim feel small and weak. You are sexually harassed whenever someone treats you with disrespect in a sexual manner that makes you feel uncomfortable. It also contributes to a toxic or hostile work environment.
Online sexual harassment is no different, apart from the fact that it occurs in a virtual workplace through the Internet, laptops, cell phones, tablets, and video conferences, among other electronic means. Online sexual harassment is very real and can be just as harmful to the victims who are forced to deal with such incidents. In a society that’s becoming increasingly connected to devices, online sexual harassment may become just as prevalent in the virtual workplace as in-person harassment.
Handling Online Sexual Harassment
If you are ever faced with an online sexual harassment situation, it is vital that you take the proper steps to protect yourself and preserve the evidence that supports your claim. Be sure to take the necessary precautions and report the incident to the correct department, as per your company guidelines. It will likely be your direct supervisor or the HR department. Make sure that you inform them of the situation and present any evidence you have collected. Then, speak with a sexual harassment lawyer.
With online sexual harassment, it may be easier to prove your case. There is a good chance that anything that was electronically sent to you may be easier to download and preserve as evidence, including photos, videos, audio files, links, and messages. It really depends on your specific case and the evidence that you have access to. Online sexual harassment is not gender-specific. Men and women alike can be the victims of online sexual harassment, or they can be the perpetrators.
If you ever find yourself dealing with online sexual harassment, you may want to consider gathering evidence as soon as possible. Once the harasser realizes that they may have overstepped and caused a situation, they might attempt to delete the evidence. If you have it downloaded and preserved, it prevents them from erasing it. The more evidence you have, the easier it may be to prove your case.
FAQs
Q: What Is Not Considered Harassment?
A: It can sometimes be confusing to determine what in the workplace is considered harassment and what is not. Typically, general workplace strife and differences of opinion are not considered harassment, provided that the issue is approached in a respectful manner.
Generally, harassment implies a pattern of disrespectful behavior, so single instances of inappropriate teasing may not be considered harassment if there is no obvious pattern associated with it. Consensual behavior is also not considered harassment, such as mutual flirtation and hugs.
Q: What Is Unacceptable Behavior at Work?
A: Unacceptable behavior in the workplace is any sort of disrespectful, degrading, or threatening behavior that makes someone else feel uncomfortable, scared, or distressed. Unacceptable behavior can often be obvious from the start. It could also create a legal risk for the employer if the victim wishes to seek compensation for the emotional distress they’ve been subjected to in the workplace.
Unacceptable behavior includes workplace discrimination, harassment, and shouting, among other behaviors.
Q: What Is Unacceptable Behavior in a Virtual Workplace?
A: Unacceptable behavior in a virtual workplace is basically the same behavior you would hope not to find in a standard workplace. The only real difference is that this behavior is performed through the Internet, devices, and video conferences. Unacceptable behavior in an online setting would include:
- Threatening emails
- Cyberbullying
- Sending explicit images or videos to coworkers
- Cyberstalking
- Harassment
- Discriminatory treatment
Every workplace, virtual or otherwise, should be a place where workers are treated with respect.
Q: How Can I Report Inappropriate Behavior at Work?
A: The way you report inappropriate behavior at work depends largely on the company you work for and their policy regarding inappropriate behavior. Depending on where you work, you may have certain procedures that you must go through to make such reports. Be sure to follow those procedures. Inappropriate behavior can often be reported to your direct supervisor or your company’s HR department. If you don’t get a response from them, you can reach out to the EEOC or an attorney.
Contact an Experienced Sexual Harassment Lawyer Today
Dealing with online sexual harassment can be a humiliating experience, especially if you are trying to handle such an incident on your own. It is recommended that you retain the services of an experienced sexual harassment attorney. They can help you build your case and ensure that you are not taken advantage of by retaliatory employers.
Diefer Law Group, P.C., knows the kind of help you need for a case like this, and we are prepared to offer you legal guidance and assistance throughout the duration of your case. We can help you develop your case, gather the evidence that supports your claim, represent your interests in court if it comes to that, and answer any questions you may have along the way. Contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our team members today.
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