Orange County Sexual Harassment Lawyers
Did you suffer from sexual harassment at work? If so, you are not alone. The #MeToo movement highlighted the issues surrounding sexual harassment and its prevalence in all types of employment. As a victim of sexual harassment, you have legal rights, and the law protects you and your rights.
At MJB Law Group, our Tustin sexual harassment lawyers will fight for you and the justice you deserve after a boss or co-worker sexually harasses you. Our law firm has the resources and experience needed to go up against some of California’s largest corporations and public figures. Don’t go at it alone. Let us fight for you and your future.
What is Sexual Harassment?
Under California law, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. This can include various behaviors, such as inappropriate comments, unwanted touching, and even sexual assault.
Sexual harassment is prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Other applicable laws and regulations include the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.
Types of Sexual Harassment Cases We Handle
There are two main types of sexual harassment: quid pro quo harassment and hostile work environment harassment.
Quid pro quo harassment occurs when a supervisor or other person with authority over an employee makes a sexual demand in exchange for a work-related benefit or threatens a negative employment action if they do not meet the demands.
Hostile work environment harassment occurs when unwelcome sexual conduct creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
Sexual harassment can take many forms.
- Verbal harassment. Sexual harassment is never funny. When employees or upper managers make unwanted sexual comments or jokes, or sexual propositions, they can cross the line into sexual harassment.
- Physical harassment. Sexual harassment can quickly become a crime when a boss or co-worker inappropriately touches or violates another worker. This could include unwanted touching, groping, or even assault.
- Visual harassment. Workplace culture is important. When offices and managers allow sexually explicit materials to be placed in the workplace, this can meet the criteria for a hostile work environment. Examples of visual harassment include putting up explicit or demeaning posters, showing coworkers inappropriate magazines, or sharing sexual images.
- Cyber harassment. It is not appropriate to send sexual images, advances, or messages to other co-workers or anyone in your organization. Unwanted sexual advances, emails, texts, or social media messages are considered cyber harassment.
Your Employer’s Responsibility and Liability for Sexual Harassment
California law requires employers to prevent and address reports of sexual harassment in the workplace. They must create and enforce a strong sexual harassment policy and train employees and supervisors to recognize signs of harassment. Employers must also take prompt and effective action and protect employees from retaliation when they report sexual harassment.
If employers do not take reasonable steps to prevent and address sexual harassment in the workplace, they can be held liable for their employee’s actions.
Companies and their legal teams will fight charges of sexual harassment aggressively. They’ll look to prove they had no knowledge of the situation and took the necessary steps to prevent it. They are also notorious for blaming the victim of sexual harassment.
Our lawyers will turn over every stone to prove that your employer created a hostile work environment by allowing or encouraging sexual harassment to thrive.
Legal Options for Victims of Sexual Harassment in California
If you are a victim of sexual harassment in California, do you know what to do or where to turn? What are your legal options, and how can you obtain justice?
To help you explore your legal options better, our attorneys will meet with you in a FREE consultation. We want to learn more about what happened to you, so we can help you make the best choice for your future.
What can you do after being sexually harassed at work?
- Document the Sexual Harassment
- Retain all evidence of the Sexual Harassment (text messages, emails, photographs, memes, etc.)
- Call Law Enforcement
- Seek a Restraining Order
- Consult with an experienced Sexual Harassment Attorney
- File a Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
When Sexual Harassment Becomes a Crime
A civil lawsuit is different from a criminal lawsuit. In some cases, sexual harassment becomes a crime. You need to call your local police department in situations like stalking, rape, or assault. If you feel like your life is in danger, you can obtain a restraining order against your harasser. This prevents them from contacting or coming near you. If they violate the restraining order, they can face criminal charges.
Filing a California Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
Holding someone accountable for sexual harassment can be a difficult and emotional process. However, with the help of our employment law firm, you can take the steps necessary to seek justice and protect your legal rights.
When you hire MJB Law Group to represent you in your sexual harassment case, we’ll go to work immediately building your case against the employer or harasser.
To win your sexual harassment case, we must prove that the harassment occurred by examining video camera footage, witness statements, emails, and other documentation. Gathering this evidence isn’t easy, but our law firm knows the fastest way to find the proof you need that sexual harassment occurred.
We might also need to prove that your employer was negligent and didn’t do enough to prevent or stop sexual harassment from occurring in the workplace. This means establishing that your employer didn’t have a strong sexual harassment policy or did not properly investigate and respond to complaints of harassment.
Contact Our Tustin Sexual Harassment Attorneys
If you are a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, you need a law firm to stand up for your rights and fight for justice. At MJB Law Group, our Tustin sexual harassment lawyers are here to help you through this difficult time. No one should face sexual harassment at work, and we work tirelessly to hold those bosses, coworkers, and institutions accountable.
Contact us for a FREE case evaluation and consultation. Call us today at (949) 266-0880 or fill out our confidential contact form. We are here to guide you through the legal process after suffering sexual harassment in the workplace.
