Irvine Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Irvine Sexual Harassment Attorney

Enduring sexual harassment at work can be incredibly stressful and can impact both your professional and your personal life. An employment attorney can help if you have experienced any inappropriate remarks, unwelcome advances, or any type of sexual coercion where you work. An Irvine sexual harassment lawyer can provide a safe place for you to discuss your unique case and can help build a legal strategy to hold the at-fault parties accountable.

At Sexual Harassment Law Firm CA, you won’t pay any attorney’s fees, and our firm covers all the costs of your claim. We only charge if we don’t win your case. Rest assured, we only take cases where we feel confident we can recover on your behalf, and we are ready to build a strong case if you have been a victim of workplace sexual harassment.

What Is Considered ‘Sexual Harassment’ in the Workplace?

At work, sexual harassment is considered any unwelcome behavior or actions that are sexual in nature. Or, ‘sexual harassment’ can include an offensive, hostile, or intimidating workplace. Sexual harassment incorporates words, physical behaviors, or non-verbal sexual actions.

Many people can be considered sexual harassers, including employers, co-workers, clients, or supervisors. Any work setting or industry can face claims for sexual harassment. Any behaviors or actions that qualify as sexual harassment are unlawful.

The Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) ensures compliance with California laws that prohibit both discrimination and harassment in public accommodations, housing, and employment. Sexual harassment at work is unlawful, and as such, all Los Angeles employers must preclude sexual harassment at work.

Who Is Liable for Workplace Sexual Harassment?

In addition to the party at fault for the sexual harassment, employers can also be responsible for sexual harassment in several ways, including:

• Failing to end sexual harassment. Employers must actively prevent sexual harassment at their company, which can include creating and enforcing anti-harassment policies, providing training to their employees/supervisors, and promptly investigating and addressing all harassment reports.
• Failing to resolve sexual harassment claims. If workplace sexual harassment becomes known to a company and they don’t take prompt, appropriate action, the company can be held legally responsible for the victim’s recovery.
• Employers cannot retaliate against an employee reporting workplace sexual harassment, including firing, demoting, or punishing them in any way.
• Taking negative actions. Employers cannot fire, demote, or punish the employee reporting sexual harassment in any other way.
• Creating a hostile work environment. If an employer creates or even allows a hostile work environment, they can be responsible for the victim’s recovery.

If you are a sexual harassment victim and responsibility for the harassment is in dispute, an experienced Irvine employment law attorney can help explore your sexual harassment situation and claim.

What Are Some Examples of Workplace Sexual Harassment?

Many types of behavior can be considered unlawful sexual harassment at work. Some examples of the types of behavior that are unlawful include:

• Repeatedly demanding sexual favors
• Promising a promotion or salary increase only in exchange for a sexual favor
• Standing too close to an employee
• Blocking where an employee is trying to walk
• Whistling or catcalling
• Making sexually inappropriate gestures or comments
• Poking fun at an employee’s gender or sexual identity (the unwelcome behavior doesn’t have to be sexually motivated to qualify as harassment but could be based instead on the employee’s actual or perceived gender identification or sexual orientation)
• Using slurs or language generally considered derogatory
• Unwanted touching, groping, or kissing (which can sometimes lead to assault and battery claims)
• Discussing sexual fantasies, dreams, or acts
• Sending sexual photographs, texts, or videos to another employee
• Posting photographs of a sexual nature at work

Many activities not on this list can be unlawful sexual harassment and unwelcome behavior. Even one instance of harassment can be considered illegal if it is sufficiently severe. Depending on the treatment and behavior you have had to endure, you might have a valid claim against the at-fault parties. It is important to discuss your unique situation with a Irvine attorney experienced with sexual harassment cases just like yours.

FAQs

What Types of Behaviors Are Not Typically Considered Sexual Harassment?

Consensual behaviors or behaviors not based on gender or sex are typically not considered sexual harassment. Thus, welcomed actions, engaging in a consensual relationship, a single comment or incident of teasing, or a casual comment wouldn’t typically be sexual harassment. Appropriate actions taken to demote, discipline, or complete a transfer of an employee also wouldn’t be considered unlawful.

Does a Conviction for a Sexual Harassment in Irvine Go on My Criminal Record?

Although sexual harassment alone is not a criminal offense, a conviction for a related criminal sex crime offense, such as stalking, could appear on your criminal record.

Generally, any conviction for a felony sex crime remains on your permanent criminal record, as it is considered a crime of moral corruption. Consequently, they are often difficult to expunge (or remove) from a criminal record. To discuss the possibility of removing a conviction from your criminal record, contact an attorney experienced with criminal record expungements.

Why Is Sexual Harassment Often Difficult to Prove?

Sexual harassment is often difficult to prove because sometimes it happens just once, privately, and without any witnesses. Some actions can be vague and subtle, and proof often relies on the victim’s word against the accused harasser. Also, sometimes the accused labels the harassing behavior as ‘just a misunderstanding.’

Yet, as a victim of harassment, it is important to consult a trusted employment attorney in Irvine, CA who can help discuss your unique factual situation and protect your rights.

What Types of Damages Can I Recover for a Irvine Sexual Harassment Claim?

In Irvine, victims of sexual harassment can recover for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress. Sometimes, you can recover for punitive damages and attorney fees and costs. Some victims seek injunctive relief in order to stop future incidents and ask for rehiring/reinstatement. Plus, they request their employer to amend policies and practices to avoid further harassment.

A trusted employment attorney can additionally discuss all possible recovery available for Irvine sexual harassment victims.

Contact Sexual Harassment Law Firm CA – Trusted Irvine Employment Law Attorneys for Sexual Harassment Claims

Sexual Harassment Law Firm CA can provide a safe space for you to discuss your case confidentially. We can tailor legal strategies to ensure the responsible parties are held accountable for any sexual harassment. Also, we can seek compensation for what you have endured and seek changes to your workplace policies and procedures.

It can be stressful to pursue a sexual harassment claim against your employer. However, if someone has violated your right to a workplace free from unwelcome sexual conduct, our team is ready to provide confidential and compassionate legal help to victims. Contact our team right away to set up an initial consultation.