Van Nuys Sexual Harassment Lawyer
Van Nuys Sexual Harassment Attorney
Having to endure sexual harassment in the workplace can be demoralizing, demeaning, and ultimately frustrating. You shouldn’t have to worry about dealing with unwanted sexual advances or worse while you are just trying to get through your workday. Feeling uncomfortable in your workplace isn’t something you should ever have to worry about. If you ever feel sexually harassed, you should speak with a Van Nuys sexual harassment lawyer.
What Is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment happens in workplaces across the world on a daily basis. It may be so prevalent in your workplace that you might not even be aware that it’s happening, least of all to you. Sexual harassment is any sort of unwanted or unwelcome sexually charged or sexually motivated behavior that seeks to create an uncomfortable environment for the one being harassed. There are many different forms of inappropriate behavior that can be considered harassment:
- Sexual assault
- Sexual innuendos, jokes, and comments
- Personal questions of a sexual nature
- Unwanted sexual advances
- “Quid pro quo,” which involves sexual favors in exchange for advancement within the company
- Unwanted touching, groping, kissing, or embracing
- Unwanted sexual texts, phone calls, emails, or letters
The California Fair Housing and Employment Act (FEHA) makes sexual harassment of any kind in the workplace unlawful, as do many of the state’s other labor laws. If someone in your company is found to be committing sexual harassment and your employer did nothing about it, they could face significant legal penalties for inaction and not taking your claim seriously.
What Do You Do If You Are Sexually Harassed at Work?
It can be demeaning, enraging, isolating, and extremely hurtful to endure sexual harassment in the workplace. You may be reluctant to report the behavior out of fear of employer retaliation and losing your job. You may be scared about what’s going to happen next, especially if your harasser sees that there don’t seem to be any consequences for their behavior. Reporting the behavior can protect not just you but others who might be next. Here are some steps you can take in Van Nuys:
- Reporting the Incident: You need to make sure to report the harassment incident through the proper channels. The last thing you want is for your situation to be ignored because you failed to report it properly. Look through your employee handbook to brush up on the procedure for reporting harassment. You will likely need to report it to your direct supervisor or your company’s HR department.
- Filing a Complaint: After you have reported the incident through the proper procedures and somebody in a position of authority is aware of your report, you may want to then file a formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the California Civil Rights Department (CRD). Both government entities can take your claim seriously and launch investigations into your company’s conduct.
- Pursuing a Claim: You cannot pursue legal action until you have reported the incident to the CRD. Once they respond with a “right to sue” notice, you can pursue a legal claim against your employer with the aid of a sexual harassment lawyer. You can then build a strong enough case to hold your harasser and employer liable for damages in civil court.
FAQs
Q: When Might an Employer Not Be Found Liable in a Harassment Case?
A: Your employer might not be found liable in your harassment case if they did the right thing. If they took immediate action when you reported the incident and their efforts were effective, they will likely not be liable. If your employer truly had no knowledge of the incident and no reason to know about it, they would also not be liable. Your employer should be found liable if they tried to cover up the incident or engaged in other questionable conduct regarding the situation.Q: Can I Take My Boss to Court for Being Toxic?
A: Yes, you can take your boss to court for being toxic or fostering a toxic work environment. A toxic work environment is considered a hostile work environment. Such behavior may even be so severe that it violates California labor laws and is affecting your work performance. You can bring legal action against your boss if they are the one responsible for creating unsafe working conditions for you and your coworkers.Q: Can I Record My Boss Harassing Me in California?
A: No, you cannot record your boss harassing you in California. It is generally illegal to record somebody without their permission in California, as it is a two-party consent state. To legally record a conversation, you must have the consent of all parties involved in that conversation. Naturally, your boss would not consent to you recording a conversation that makes them look bad. You could even have legal action taken against you for doing so.Q: What Proof Do You Need for Verbal Harassment?
A: Generally, any proof showing that the verbal harassment took place will be greatly beneficial to your case. This evidence can include:- Phone records
- Text messages
- Voicemails
- Emails
- Witness testimony
- Medical records if the verbal abuse ever turned physical
Reach Out to a Sexual Harassment Lawyer Today
Having to face the personal aftermath of a sexual harassment case can be a difficult situation to find yourself in. Due to the incident, you may be feeling isolated from your coworkers and even a bit paranoid about how they might think of you. It is vital that you retain the services of an experienced sexual harassment lawyer They can assist you through this difficult time and provide you with advice, legal aid, and even a shoulder if you need one.
The legal team at Diefer Law Group, P.C., understands what you may be going through and is prepared to advocate for you. We can develop your case, gather the right evidence, and make sure your interests are protected throughout this ordeal. Contact us to schedule a consultation with a valued team member soon.
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