Los Angeles Sexual Harassment by Your Boss Lawyer
Los Angeles Sexual Harassment by Your Boss Attorney
Almost every industry across the state of California sees events of sexual harassment. These can be frightening experiences for employees, especially when someone in power over them, like a boss, is the one perpetrating the harassment. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and afraid, not to mention uncertain about what steps to take to hold your boss accountable. In these situations, it is wise to retain the services of a Los Angeles sexual harassment by your boss lawyer.
In California, most employment is considered “at-will,” meaning that your employer can fire you for any reason or no reason at all. However, they are not allowed to fire you for an illegal reason, just as terminating your employment because you refused to grant certain sexual favors or have filed a hostile work environment claim against them due to sexual harassment. In these cases, the team at Diefer Law Group can help you seek justice.
Forms of Sexual Harassment Perpetrated by Employers
There are two main types of sexual harassment you can face in the workplace at the hands of your boss, supervisor, manager, employer, or anyone else in a position of power over you. These forms of sexual harassment include the following:
- Quid Pro Quo: This form of workplace sexual harassment is often the most commonly perpetrated by individuals of power and authority over employees. It can occur when a boss offers you certain workplace benefits such as a promotion, wage raise, increased or desired hours, or other employment opportunities in exchange for sexual favors. On the other hand, they may threaten retaliation, such as demotion or termination, if you refuse.
- Hostile Work Environment: This form of workplace sexual harassment often occurs between coworkers. However, it can also take place between an individual and their boss. In a hostile work environment, these complaints often come from offensive remarks, unwanted touching, rude jokes, or explicit jokes being said in the workplace by a boss. It can cause an employee to be unable to perform their job duties.
If you, as an employee in the Los Angeles area, have suffered either form of sexual harassment at the hands of your boss or someone in authority over you, the team at Diefer Law Group can help you file a sexual harassment claim, secure compensation, and hold the party liable for the harm they have caused you.
Diefer Law Group: Defending You From Your Boss’s Illegal Actions
With over 60 years of combined experience, the attorneys at Diefer Law Group are prepared to take on your workplace sexual harassment case. We know these can be frightening situations, especially when you are bringing a claim against a boss or someone who seems to hold all the power. The good news is, in these cases, they don’t. With our firm on your side, you can rest assured knowing you have someone fighting for you and your rights.
When you hire Diefer Law Group to defend you against the illegal actions of your boss, you can expect us to assist your case in the following ways:
- Educating you on your employment rights
- Guiding you on all the documentation you will need to gather
- Assisting you in filing your claim
- Launching an investigation into the incident of harassment
- Negotiating with your employer
- Representing you in any legal proceedings or court litigation that may arise
Steps to Take Following an Event of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
If you have experienced sexual harassment at your place of work by a boss or other colleague in a position of power, there are certain steps you should take to protect your employment rights and preserve any necessary evidence for a future workplace harassment claim against your boss. These steps include the following:
- Filing a Formal Report: The first step you should take when your boss perpetrates sexual harassment is to file a formal, written complaint with your human resources department. It is critical that this report be in writing. Ensure that you include all details of the specific harassment.
- Reviewing Your Employment Handbook: Review the employee handbook that your employer prepared and gave to you during your hiring. Since your harasser is your boss, do not file the report with them. Instead, it should be brought directly to the human resource department.
- Gathering and Preserving Evidence: Attach any gathered evidence from the sexual harassment event to your report or complaint. This can include text messages your boss may have sent you, emails, or other messages via social media.
- Staying Aware of Any Retaliation: If you have made a formal complaint, you may start experiencing forms of retaliation from your boss, which would give you more legal ground to stand on, as such retaliation is illegal.
- Consulting an Attorney: Consult with an attorney who can assist you in all the legal aspects of holding your boss liable for the damages they have caused you to suffer due to their acts of sexual harassment.
FAQs
Q: How Much Does a Sexual Harassment Attorney Charge in California?
A: It can prove challenging to offer an exact number as to how much a sexual harassment attorney might charge in California for their services. This is because there are several factors that will ultimately affect the attorney’s fees. These factors include the total duration and complexity of your case and the attorney’s own experience and skill level.
Q: What Forms of Retaliation Might I Face in a Sexual Harassment Case?
A: If you file a sexual harassment claim against your boss in California, it is prudent to be aware of any retaliation that might be brought against you, as this will give you grounds for further legal action. The most common forms of retaliation in sexual harassment cases can include being demoted, terminated, being assigned an undesirable work shift or hour change, and being socially cast out from coworkers.
Q: What Compensation May Be Available in a Sexual Harassment Claim?
A: Depending on the exact nature of the sexual harassment you have been made to suffer by your boss, there are several forms of compensation that may be available to you in a legal claim. These forms of compensation can include economic damages such as lost wages or lost benefits, non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, or anxiety, and possible punitive damages if the harassment is deemed to be especially egregious.
Q: Do I Have to Be of the Opposite Sex Than My Boss for It to Be Considered Harassment?
A: No, you do not have to be of the opposite sex of that of your boss for workplace sexual harassment to occur. Sexual harassment can happen between people of the same sex or of different sexes. The definition of harassment is based on the behavior rather than the sexes or the genders of the parties involved.
Facing Sexual Harassment From a Boss? Contact Diefer Law Group Today
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