Orange County Quid Pro Quo Attorney
Orange County Quid Pro Quo Lawyer
Sexual harassment in the workplace is an unfortunate reality in Orange County and throughout California. Thousands of people experience this form of mistreatment across every industry, and many are unaware of their options for legal recourse. One of the most commonly cited forms of sexual harassment is “quid pro quo.” This Latin phrase translates to “something for something,” “a favor for a favor,” or “this for that,” indicating an exchange.
Some employers will engage in quid pro quo sexual harassment by offering job-related benefits in exchange for sexual favors. The clearest example of this would be an employer offering a promotion or pay increase to an employee in exchange for sex. Quid pro quo can also work in the opposite fashion when an employer threatens a subordinate with firing or other job-related penalties if they do not agree to sexual activity. Either form of quid pro quo sexual harassment is unacceptable, and if you experience this at work, you need a trustworthy Orange County quid pro quo attorney to help you ensure accountability for the party at fault.
Filing Your Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment Suit in Orange County
One of the most challenging aspects of any sexual harassment claim in California is proving the truth of your experience. Most employers who knowingly engage in quid pro quo and other forms of sexual harassment take steps to hide their activities, leaving as little physical evidence as possible. However, this does not mean you cannot prove the truth of your experience. Your Orange County quid pro quo attorney can carefully review the details of what your employer has done and help you identify any forms of evidence that may be crucial to your case.
Before you can proceed with a civil suit against your employer for quid pro quo sexual harassment, you will need to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This is the federal agency responsible for fielding all workplace harassment and discrimination claims and enforcement of applicable laws. Your attorney can assist you with gathering whatever evidence you will need to support your EEOC claim and guide you through the claim submission process.
Once the EEOC receives your complaint, they will investigate the claim and notify you of your next steps. If they determine that you did indeed experience quid pro quo sexual harassment or any other illegal mistreatment from your employer, they will issue a Notice of Right to Sue that allows you to proceed with your civil claim with the EEOC’s support. In some cases, the EEOC will recommend penalties for employers.
Your Orange County quid pro quo attorney will be invaluable in many ways, from gathering the evidence you will need to submit with your EEOC complaint to building a civil claim against your employer. You may have grounds to claim more compensation than you initially expect, and your employer is likely to face a wide range of penalties in response to the adverse actions they have taken against you.
Sexual Harassment Lawyers FAQs
Q: What Is Sexual Favoritism in the Workplace?
A: Sexual favoritism in the workplace is a form of discrimination that occurs when a supervisor or employer demonstrates excessively favorable treatment to employees who share certain sexual characteristics. This could include employees of one sex or a specific sexual orientation. Proving sexual favoritism in the workplace generally requires proof that the favored employees enjoyed unearned benefits on the basis of their sexual characteristics and that those benefits were denied to employees who did not share the same characteristics.Q: How Do You Prove Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment in the Workplace?
A: Quid pro quo sexual harassment may involve an offer for job-related benefits in exchange for sexual favors or the threat of job-related penalties if the victim does not perform sexual favors. Proving quid pro quo sexual harassment may require producing proof of correspondence between the parties involved detailing such offers, or the victim may need to prove they suffered job-related penalties for refusing an employer’s or supervisor’s advances.Q: Can I Claim Compensation for Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment?
A: Yes, it is possible to hold your employer accountable for any damages you suffered because of their sexual harassment. For some victims, these damages may include lost income, lost benefits, lost job opportunities, medical expenses for counseling and other treatment they required, and compensatory damages. Federal law limits how much a plaintiff can receive in compensatory or punitive damages, and the cap is based on the number of employees the employer has.Q: How Do I File a Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment Claim in Orange County?
A: You will need to file a complaint with the EEOC before proceeding with a civil suit against your employer. An experienced Orange County quid pro quo attorney can help you lay the foundation of your case, gathering the evidence you will need to submit to the EEOC and handling correspondence with the agency on your behalf. Once you receive your Notice of Right to Sue, you can proceed with your civil claim.Q: How Much Will It Cost to Hire an Orange County Quid Pro Quo Attorney?
A: Every attorney uses a different billing policy for employment law cases. Some attorneys charge hourly rates, so the longer they spend working on a case, the more it costs the client. Others offer contingency fee arrangements, only taking a percentage of the client’s case award if and when they win their case. Your attorney should carefully explain their billing policy so there are no unwelcome surprises when it comes to the cost of your legal counsel.Count on Diefer Law Group If You’ve Experienced Sexual Harassment
The attorneys at Diefer Law Group have many years of professional experience handling all types of sexual harassment claims, including quid pro quo sexual harassment. We know how challenging it may be to prove the truth of your experience and determine your most viable options for legal recourse after experiencing this type of mistreatment, and our goal is to help you recover as fully as possible. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Orange County quid pro quo attorney to learn more about the legal services we offer.
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