Orange County Male Victims of Sexual Harassment Attorney
Orange County Sexual Harassment Lawyer
Across almost every industry, women report sexual harassment at work at higher rates than men. However, the ratio of reports made by women vs. by men does not mean that men experience far less harassment than women. Men can and do experience sexual harassment in the workplace, but the psychological differences between most men and most women sometimes contribute to underreporting of male victims of sexual harassment.
When men experience sexual harassment at work, they are generally less likely than women to report the problem due to their concerns about how their coworkers and others will perceive them. Men are also generally more likely to attempt to resolve an issue of sexual harassment personally rather than report the incident. Unfortunately, this often does not end the problem for many victims.
Men have the same right to a safe and harassment-free workplace as women. It is important for the male victims of sexual harassment in Orange County, CA to know where to turn for legal assistance when they experience this mistreatment at work. The attorneys at Diefer Law Group can provide the comprehensive legal counsel you need if you find yourself in this situation.
Understanding California’s Sexual Harassment Laws
Any type of sexual harassment in the workplace is unacceptable, and both men and women who experience this mistreatment at work can seek accountability if they experience sexual harassment of any kind. However, many people who experience sexual harassment do not immediately recognize that they have grounds for legal recourse. Some of the most commonly cited forms of sexual harassment that men might experience at work include:
- “Quid pro quo” sexual harassment. In these cases, an employer or supervisor offers job-related benefits in exchange for sexual favors. This can work in the opposite fashion if a supervisor threatens job-related penalties if the victim does not perform sexual favors.
- Unwanted physical contact. It is illegal for anyone to make any type of physical sexual contact with another person against their will. This can include touching, groping, and more, and severe cases of this can potentially constitute sexual assault.
- Hostile work environment. When an employee is unable to perform their work duties or their job has been made exceedingly difficult due to sex-based discrimination, this is a hostile work environment and grounds for a sexual harassment suit.
This is not an exhaustive list of all the ways sexual harassment might occur in an Orange County workplace. If you believe you have experienced any type of sexual harassment, you will need an Orange County sexual harassment attorney to help you navigate the claim process with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) before proceeding with a civil suit against the party who harassed you. The EEOC must investigate the claim, and once they conclude their investigation, the agency will provide you with the materials needed to proceed with legal action against the defendant. When you choose Diefer Law Group to represent your case, we will guide you through each step of this process and help you secure as much compensation as possible for the adverse treatment you experienced.
Sexual Harassment Lawyer FAQs
Q: Are Sexual Harassment Cases Hard to Prove?
A: One obstacle many victims of sexual harassment face is gathering concrete evidence that firmly proves they have experienced sexual harassment. Many cases devolve into one party’s word against another’s, but the right Orange County sexual harassment attorney can help their client secure the evidence they will need to prove the truth of their experience. Various forms of evidence can come into play in these cases, from emails and other written correspondence to testimony from coworkers and former employees who had similar adverse experiences with a defendant.Q: How Long Do You Have to File a Sexual Harassment Suit in California?
A: There is a 300-day statute of limitations for sexual harassment claims in California. You need to submit your claim no later than this after the date the incident occurred. However, you have 180 days in which to file your EEOC complaint. If you are unsure how to proceed with your claim or need help gathering evidence, it is important to consult an experienced Orange County sexual harassment attorney as soon as possible.Q: What Is the Most Common Type of Sexual Harassment in Orange County Workplaces?
A: The most commonly reported form of sexual harassment in California workplaces is hostile work environment. When an employer or coworker creates a hostile work environment for a victim, they can make it exceedingly difficult or even impossible for the victim to do their job. For example, if a worker is sexually harassed by a supervisor and refuses the supervisor’s advances, the supervisor may make the victim’s job impossible to complete or create an oppressive atmosphere that is psychologically harmful to the victim.Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for Sexual Harassment at Work?
A: Federal law dictates how much compensatory damages the victim of sexual harassment can recover if they succeed with their claim. The cap on compensation depends on the size of the employer based on the number of employees. It’s possible for the plaintiff to recover up to $50,000 if their employer has between 15 and 100 employees, $100,000 for 101 to 200 employees, $200,000 for 201 to 500 employees, and $300,000 for over 500 employees. It’s important to note that these limits only apply to compensatory or punitive damages and not the other civil damages the victim may claim.Q: How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Orange County Sexual Harassment Attorney?
A: Employment attorneys across California use different billing policies. Some charge their clients by the hour, meaning the client’s legal fees hinge on the time their attorney spends on their case. Others use contingency fee billing, only taking a percentage of the client’s case award if and when they win. Always take time to verify a prospective attorney’s billing policy so there are no surprises in terms of your recovery.Get in Touch With Us
Diefer Law Group creates an individualized case strategy for every client we represent. We know how distressing and uncertain the aftermath of sexual harassment in the workplace can be and the unique challenges that many male victims encounter as they seek accountability. Whatever your case involves, you can rest assured that our team will provide compassionate and responsive legal guidance through all stages of your recovery efforts. Contact us today and schedule your free consultation with an Orange County sexual harassment attorney.
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