Name: Employee Law
Address: 1801 Century Park East, Suite 1150, Los Angeles, CA, 90067, US
Telephone: 310-601-1330

Services for Employees

Sexual Harassment

Talk to a Los Angeles Sexual Harassment Lawyer in Confidence

Sexual harassment in the workplace is alarmingly common. According to data from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Commission receives thousands of sexual harassment complaints every year. But, these data only reflect the instances of sexual harassment that are reported to the federal government. A Los Angeles sexual harassment lawyer at Attorneys for Employees can help you take action and use our experience to seek all available remedies on your behalf.

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) and other state agencies receive thousands of complaints each year as well, and it is likely that far more cases go unreported. If you are a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, it is important that you speak with a lawyer about your legal rights. Sexual harassment is against the law, and employees who are victimized can—and should—hold companies accountable.

Understanding the Laws that Prohibit Sexual Harassment in Los Angeles’ Workplaces

Sexual harassment is prohibited as a form of sex-based employment discrimination under federal law. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies to employers in Los Angeles with 15 or more employees, while the anti-harassment provisions under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) apply to employers with only one full-time or part-time worker.

The prohibitions under Title VII and California’s FEHA are similar. Both laws prohibit two specific types of sexual harassment:

1. Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment

Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when a supervisor or other superior demands sexual favors in exchange for an employment-related opportunity or benefit. For example, if a supervisor demands sex in exchange for a promotion, this is a textbook case of quid pro quo sexual harassment under both Title VII and the FEHA.

Cases of quid pro quo sexual harassment can involve a broad range of other circumstances as well. For example, a Los Angeles sexual harassment attorney at Attorneys for Employees may be able to help you pursue a claim if you were pressured to provide a sexual favor in exchange for any of the following:

A raise or promotion
Keeping your job
Keeping your job assignment or work schedule
Getting time off
The opportunity to work from home
The opportunity to work on a particular project or assignment
The ability to interact directly with customers or clients
Any other work-related opportunity or benefit

Quid pro quo sexual harassment can be either explicit or implied, and while both types of cases can be difficult to prove, our experienced Los Angeles sexual harassment lawyers will be able to help you. We can use our experience successfully handling quid pro quo harassment cases to fight for the outcome you deserve.

2. Fostering a Hostile Work Environment

The second type of sexual harassment involves fostering a hostile work environment. While quid pro quo sexual harassment requires a specific adverse employment outcome (i.e., being denied a promotion or losing your job), you can file a hostile work environment claim if you have been subjected to repeated or persistent sexual comments, contact, or other conduct at work.

Under both Title VII and the FEHA, occasional and isolated incidents will not rise to the level of creating a hostile work environment in most cases. However, the severity of the incident (or incidents) involved is an important factor. In cases of egregious sexual misconduct, a single act can be enough to create a hostile work environment.

What To Do if You Are a Victim of Workplace Sexual Harassment in Los Angeles

If you believe that you have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, there are some steps you should take to help your Los Angeles sexual harassment lawyer pursue your claim. These steps include:

Seek Help Immediately – As a victim of sexual harassment, it is important to seek help immediately. This means seeking treatment and talking to a Los Angeles sexual harassment attorney as soon as possible.
Report the Harassment – Unless you are uncomfortable doing so, you should report the harassment to your employer. If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, our lawyers can do this for you. Again, the key is to take action promptly, and you should not hesitate to contact us if you haven’t filed a report.
Document the Incident (or Incidents) – In sexual harassment cases, documentation is important, so you should try to document the incident (or incidents) as much as possible. We know it can be difficult, but you should write down as many details as you can remember.
Be Sure to Keep Any Relevant Communications – If you have emails, text messages or any other communications related to your sexual harassment claim, you should be sure to keep these in a safe place. These will be important to share with your Los Angeles sexual harassment lawyer.
Learn About Your Legal Rights – While dealing with your situation can be stressful, it can help to learn a bit more about your legal rights. Our blog is a good place to start, and again, we encourage you to speak with one of our lawyers as soon as possible.

What Not To Do if You Are a Victim of Workplace Sexual Harassment in Los Angeles

In addition to taking the steps we just listed, there are also some mistakes you need to try to avoid when you have a sexual harassment claim in Los Angeles. For example:

Do Not Blame Yourself – No matter what, your current circumstances are not your fault. There is no excuse for sexual harassment, and your employer had a legal obligation to protect you.
Do Not Post Anything Online – While you may want to post about your situation online, you need to resist the temptation to do so. At this point, you should only discuss your situation with one of our Los Angeles sexual harassment attorneys.
Do Not Assume the Problem Will Go Away – Many employees wait too long to take action because they assume (or hope) that the problem will go away. The statistics show that this rarely happens, and most hostile work environments get worse instead of better.
Do Not Try to Handle Your Situation Alone – As a victim of sexual harassment, you should not feel embarrassed about what happened to you, and you should not try to deal with your situation alone. Help is available, and seeking help is the best thing you can do for your psychological and financial well-being.

FAQs: Filing a Sexual Harassment Claim Against Your Employer in Los Angeles

How Do I Know if I Have a Claim for Workplace Sexual Harassment in Los Angeles?

While sexual harassment is clearly against the law, it isn’t always easy to tell if you have a claim. Not all comments or interactions that most people would consider harassing rise to the level of sexual harassment under Title VII or the FEHA. If you think you may have a claim, the best thing you can do is talk to our Los Angeles sexual harassment lawyers as soon as possible.

How Do I File a Claim for Sexual Harassment in the Workplace in Los Angeles?

Filing a claim for sexual harassment in Los Angeles typically involves submitting a complaint to the EEOC or the California CRD. You need to make sure you file your complaint with the correct agency, and you need to make sure your complaint includes all the necessary information. While the law protects employees who experience sexual harassment in the workplace, filing a successful claim is not easy. As a result, it is best to hire a lawyer who can explain everything you need to know and take appropriate legal action on your behalf.

How Can a Sexual Harassment Attorney Help Me With My Claim?

You can file a claim on your own if you choose to do so. But this is not your best option. It is far too easy to make mistakes, and you need to make an informed decision about what remedies to seek (and why). Our Los Angeles sexual harassment attorneys at Attorneys for Employees can help with all aspects of the process, and hiring an experienced lawyer will give you the best chance of securing the outcome you deserve.

Can I Get Fired for Filing a Sexual Harassment Claim?

It is against the law for employers to fire employees because they file sexual harassment claims. If you get fired, you will be a victim of retaliation, and our lawyers can help you seek appropriate legal remedies for this as well.

Schedule an Appointment with a Los Angeles Sexual Harassment Lawyer

If you would like to speak with a lawyer about filing a sexual harassment claim in Los Angeles, we encourage you to contact us promptly for more information. Please call 310-601-1330 or contact us confidentially online to schedule an appointment today.