Discuss Your Legal Rights with a Harassment Lawyer in Los Angeles
As an employee in Los Angeles, you are entitled to a workplace that is free from harassment. Not only is harassment in the workplace against the law, but most employers in California have an affirmative obligation to provide their employees with a safe space to work. If you have experienced harassment in the workplace, you may be entitled to financial or other remedies, and you should speak with a Los Angeles harassment lawyer as soon as possible.
At Attorneys For Employees, our lawyers have decades of experience helping employees assert their rights under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and other state and federal laws. If you have questions, we can explain everything you need to know, and if you are a victim, we can pursue a harassment claim against your employer for you.
Know Your Rights as a Victim of Harassment in Los Angeles
There are state and federal laws to ensure employees of protected classes can work in an environment free of abuse, intimidation, and hostility. When these laws are violated and an employee is subjected to harassment, there are legal remedies available. The Los Angeles Harassment Lawyers at Attorneys for Employees (AFE) are well-versed in these legal remedies and can provide a case review so you understand your options.
Protected Classes in Los Angeles, California
If anyone from a protected class or group is discriminated against or has experienced abuse, intimidation or hostility due to their protected class, it may be considered harassment. This includes anyone who has experienced harassment based on one or more of the following criteria:
- Sex
- Race
- Religion
- Color
- National Origin
- Age
- Sexual Orientation
- Disability
What Qualifies as Harassment in the Workplace?
An employee of a protected class may have a claim of harassment in the following situations:
- When employment is a condition of being subjected to offensive conduct or behavior; or
- A reasonable person would consider the conduct or behavior to be abusive, hostile, or intimidating.
Minor irritating comments or inconveniences are not typically enough to constitute a harassment claim, as the behavior or conduct must create a hostile work environment. However, it does not have to be directed toward you for you to suffer harassment.
Examples of Harassment at Work
Many types of offensive behavior can qualify as harassment, including:
- A supervisor who mocks an employee for their race
- The display of a picture or poster that ridicules an employee’s religion
- Verbal or physical threats made by a coworker
- Offensive or vulgar jokes told by an employee, independent contractor, or volunteer
About Sexual Harassment in Los Angeles
When most people think of harassment in the workplace, sexual harassment is the first thing that comes to mind. It is by far the most sensationalized type of harassment, and it can take many forms, from unwanted sexual advances to offers of promotion in exchange for sexual favors. The victim and the harasser do not have to be opposite sexes, and the harasser does not have to be the victim’s supervisor.
What To Do If You Have Been Harassed
If you feel that you are a victim of workplace harassment, you should:
- Report the Harassment: Report the harassment, in writing, to the appropriate party. If you are not sure who the responsible party is, look in your employee handbook or speak to someone in the Human Resources Department.
- File a Complaint: If you are a protected class member, you will need to file a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) prior to filing a lawsuit.
- Speak with an Experienced Los Angeles Harassment Lawyer: Employees have a right to expect an environment free from harassment to perform their job-related duties.
5 Important Facts About Filing a Workplace Harassment Claim in Los Angeles
If you are a victim of workplace harassment in Los Angeles, it is important to make sure you are making informed decisions. With this in mind, here are five important facts you need to know:
1. Workplace Harassment Can Take Many Forms
While we listed some of the most common examples of workplace harassment above, harassment can take many different forms. If you believe that you have experienced harassment at work, you should speak with a Los Angeles harassment lawyer as soon as possible.
2. There Are Many Ways to Prove Workplace Harassment
When we speak with employees who have experienced harassment in the workplace, one of their most common fears is that they won’t be able to prove what happened to them. While proving harassment can be challenging (especially when managers or supervisors lie about what happened), there are many ways an experienced Los Angeles harassment lawyer can work to expose the truth and hold the responsible parties accountable.
3. It Is Important to Take Action Promptly
While there are several ways to prove workplace harassment, unnecessary delays can make it more difficult to establish a claim. There is no harm in contacting a lawyer to find out if you have a claim, but if you wait, it will eventually be too late.
4. There Are Several Remedies for Workplace Harassment
When you hire a Los Angeles harassment lawyer at Attorneys For Employees to represent you, your lawyer will help you decide which remedy (or remedies) to pursue. There are several possible options—from getting reassigned or reinstated to recovering compensatory and punitive damages.
5. Your First Step is Easy
While it takes courage to stand up for your legal rights, your first step is easy. All you have to do is give us a call or send us a message. Everything you discuss with your lawyer at Attorneys For Employees will be held in strict confidence, and we will make sure you feel comfortable, confident, and informed every step of the way.
Contact An Experienced Los Angeles Harassment Lawyer Today to Review Your Case
If you believe your employer has failed to provide you with a harassment-free environment, contact the learned Los Angeles Harassment Lawyers at Attorneys for Employees today. We will review your case to see how we can best serve you.