Employees deserve a workplace that is free from harassment and discrimination, which allows them to excel in their job duties. Workers have long fought to obtain the right to a safe workplace, but instances of misconduct still occur throughout the nation. Sexual harassment is one type of misconduct that continues to plague workplaces.
Sexual harassment can cause considerable damage to an employee’s well-being and create a hostile work environment. While it may be uncomfortable to address sexual harassment, fighting for a welcoming work environment will empower you to hold your employer accountable while protecting others who may be afraid to speak up on their own.
Don’t face sexual harassment alone. A Los Angeles sexual harassment lawyer with Levian Law works tirelessly to hold employers accountable for allowing discriminatory conduct. Our firm has a skilled employment lawyer with trial experience who strives to effectively resolve employment matters that severely impact your personal and professional life.
Under California law, it is unlawful to harass a job applicant or employee on the basis of sex. Victims of sexual harassment in Los Angeles have the right to pursue legal action against fellow employees and employers who commit or encourage sexual harassment in the workplace.
The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) handles sexual harassment claims at the federal level and defines sexual harassment as “any comments, gestures, statements, requests, or other verbal conduct of a sexual nature that makes a workplace intimidating, offensive, or hostile.” Actions that may be considered sexual harassment, include:
Sexual harassment can take place between employees regardless of job titles. An employee facing sexual harassment from a supervisor or third-party worker will have the same protections available to her regardless of the working relationship. Additionally, sexual harassment must be unwelcome to make a valid case against it. It is irrelevant whether the victim and the perpetrator are of the opposite or the same sex.
Victims may also include witnesses who observe the harassment and are negatively impacted by it. Victims may take action against sexual harassment without being fired from the workplace or economically harmed.
An employee’s greatest fear when considering taking legal action against her employer is usually retaliation from her employer. Although retaliating against an employee for speaking up about unlawful conduct is illegal, many employers may still attempt to push back against the employee in a number of ways:
Employees who act against sexual harassment should document any behavior that may be construed as retaliation and discuss it with a sexual harassment attorney as soon as possible. Employers may be held accountable for more than one action.
When you decide to fight against sexual harassment, your first action should be to bring the behavior to the attention of your supervisor or human resources department. You may also wish to contact a Los Angeles sexual harassment lawyer at Levian Law for guidance on how to address the problem. If your employer fails to address the situation, you may have a case.
Contact Levian Law for a free consultation regarding your sexual harassment case. Call (310) 277-7577 or complete our contact form.
If you’re facing a legal issue, big or small, reach out.
We offer consultations to discuss your situation, answer your questions, and help you find the best path forward. Your legal support starts here.
