Sacramento Sexual Harassment Lawyers
Protecting Workers from Sexual Harassment in California
Sexual harassment in California covers a wide variety of inappropriate behavior. Examples include:
- Unwanted sexual attention
- Offering favorable treatment in exchange for sex
- And sex-related teasing
These actions change the work environment to that of a hostile work environment.
California offers extensive laws requiring employers to ensure their employees have a work environment free from harassment. Despite this, workers can still be subjected to this form of harassment, and often do not know where to turn.
Sexual harassment is a terrible thing to go through, and you deserve justice. Our Sacramento sexual harassment attorneys can provide answers to all of your questions about your employment law case. We can help you take the necessary steps to get justice. We can evaluate your claims, help you understand your options, and guide you through the right legal procedures.
If you are experiencing sexual harassment in your workplace, you do not have to go through this alone. Reach out to our law firm in Sacramento, CA at (916) 262-7006 for a free case consultation.
What Federal Laws Protect Employees From Sexual Harassment?
Federal law prohibiting harassment is derived from Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law prohibits employers from discriminating "against any individual with respect to terms, conditions or privileges of employment" due to their membership in a protected class. Harassment is actionable as discrimination in violation of Title VII if it is "so severe or pervasive as to alter the conditions of employment.”
What State Laws Protect Employees From Sexual Harassment in California?
Under California law, there are two separate sources that protect California employees. First, the California Constitution protects employees against discrimination on the basis of sex, race, creed, color, and national or ethnic origin. This applies to both public and private employers. The Fair Employment and Housing Act, Government Code Section 12940(j)( 1) prohibits harassment based upon sex or sexual orientation.
Although sexual harassment is often thought of as unwelcome sexual conduct, it can involve more than this. In California, offensive conduct does not need to be motivated by sexual desire. Harassment can include any discriminatory action that creates an offensive, hostile or intimidating work environment.
Reach out to our skillful harassment attorneys in Sacramento, CA at (916) 262-7006 for a free case consultation.
Who Can be Held Liable for Sexual Harassing Conduct?
California employers are strictly liable for sexual harassment committed by supervisors. Pursuant to California Government Code Section 12926(r), “supervisor” is defined as anyone with authority over the positions of other employees. A supervisor is also anyone responsible for directing employees or reviewing grievances if doing so requires independent judgment.
Additionally, California employers can be liable for harassment by a non-supervisor or a third party. This can happen if the employer knew or should have known about the harassment and failed to take action. Supervisors can also be held personally liable for their sexual harassing conduct.
Verbal Conduct That Can Constitute
Sexual Harassment
- Sexual epithets, jokes, derogatory comments or slurs
- Using terms such as “honey,” “sweetie,” or “baby”
- Comments about the employee’s appearance or body parts
- Comments and/or questions about your or the employee’s sex life
- Repeated, unwelcome requests for dates
- Other language of a sexual nature
Physical Conduct That Can Constitute Sexual Harassment
- Pinching, patting, hand on shoulder, back rubs, touching
- Cornering or impeding movement (i.e., blocking the door or any physical interference with normal work or movement)
Visual Conduct That Can Constitute Sexual Harassment
- Sexual cartoons, drawings, photographs or posters
- Offensive screen savers
- Leering or looking someone up and down
- Articles of clothing
- Emails and social media
What You Can Do as a Sexual Harassment Victim
Although sexual harassment in the workplace is against the law, countless individuals across the State of California experience it every day. According to a recent Equal Employment Opportunity Commission study, 25% of women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. As a victim, there are several steps that you can take to make the situation right.
If you've suffered from sexual harassment in the workplace, contact Webber & Egbert Employment Law, P.C. at (916) 262-7006.
What Steps Should You Take if You Are a Victim of Sexual Harassment?
If you are a victim of sexual harassment, you should:
- Seek to understand your rights
- Read your employer’s sexual harassment policy
- Follow the procedure in the policy to report the incident
- Describe the incident in as much detail as possible
- Include the names of any persons who witnessed the incident
- Keep a copy of your initial complaint and all further communications concerning the harassment
- Keep detailed records of all instances of sexual harassment
- Contact an employment law attorney to learn more about what the next steps should be
If you've suffered from sexual harassment in the workplace, don't hesitate to contact Webber & Egbert Employment Law, P.C. at (916) 262-7006 to speak about your case today.
Cases We Have Helped Win for Our Clients
-
Sexual Harassment & Constructive DischargeWebber & Egbert Employment Law, P.C. obtained a settlement on behalf of an employee who was subjected to sexual harassment and was constructively discharged from her employment.
$550,000
-
Sexual Harassment
Webber & Egbert Employment Law, P.C. obtained a global settlement of $1,200,000 on behalf of employees who were subjected to sexual harassment at work.
$1,200,000
-
Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment
$550,000
-
Sexual Harassment & Constructive Discharge
$700,000
-
Harassment & Retaliation
$1,000,000
Quid Pro Quo and Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment in California is generally divided into two broad types of prohibited behavior: quid pro quo harassment and hostile environment harassment.
Quid pro quo harassment is when a term or condition of employment is tied to a sexual favor. It requires the employee to choose between giving in to sexual demands or getting penalized if the employee refuses.
The typical case involves some form of unwanted sexual advance or proposition by a supervisor. This comes with the express or implied threat that if the employee refuses, they will be terminated or lose other benefits. The employee may also be promised better treatment should they submit to the sexual advances.
Hostile work environment harassment is unwelcome behavior that substantially impacts the terms or conditions of employment. This behavior creates an uncomfortable workplace that a reasonable person would find hostile. Hostile work environment harassment can include verbal conduct, physical conduct, and/or visual conduct.
