Oakland Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Oakland Sexual Harassment Attorney

If you have dealt with retaliation, inappropriate behavior, or unwanted advances while at work, a dedicated Oakland sexual harassment lawyer from Sexual Harassment Law Firm CA is eager to help protect your rights and take immediate action. Whether you’ve been offered a promotion in exchange for sexual acts or have been dealing with repeated inappropriate advances on the job, you were protected under California sexual harassment law. No one should feel silenced or unsafe at work.

Understanding Safety for Women in Oakland

Although Alameda County – where Oakland is situated – has a score of 65.6 on the Women’s Well-Being Index, meaning that it has the 5th highest ranking overall in California, the safety score is extremely low – at 76.6. Only 85% of women in the county report feeling safe in their neighborhood most or all of the time, which is much lower than expected for such a progressive and large area.

Workplace detections and safety fall into this dynamic of safety. When women feel as if they are in danger at home or in public, this is commonly reflective of the broader picture they are facing at work, particularly in poorly regulated or male-dominated spaces.

Sexual Assault and Harassment in Alameda County

The average annual rate of sexual assault in Alameda County is 86 per 100,000 females, according to data collected from 2018 to 2022, placing the county 27th out of 58. These figures remind us that sexual violence and harassment are not isolated issues, but rather tthey continue to persist even in regions that have high general well-being.

As Alameda County also experiences 656 domestic violence-related calls per 100,000 females each year, it ranks 13th in this state. This shows that many women are living with dangerous conditions both at work and in the home – with various situations involving sexual harassment at work that are linked to other forms of gender-based violence.

What Constitutes Workplace Sexual Harassment?

In California, sexual harassment is defined as any gender-based or sexual orientation-based mistreatment, as well as unwanted sexual actions that impact an individual’s ability to do their job. Harassment can be written, verbal, physical, and visual – and appear across many different scenarios. Some common examples of sexual harassment include:

• Persistently asking somebody on a date
• Requesting sexual contact over and over again
• Displaying or sharing lewd or illicit images
• Repeatedly making jokes or comments of a sexual or predatory nature
• Firing somebody for rejecting sexual advances
• Offering a raise or promotion in exchange for sexual demands

Such conduct can either be considered work environment harassment or quid pro quo harassment, each of which is strictly against California law.

Your Employer’s Legal Duty

Your employer has a legal mandate to ensure that you are not subject to threats or harassment at work, regardless of whether they were directly involved in instances of sexual harassment. Under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), they are required to actively prevent, investigate, and respond to instances of sexual harassment. Duties include:

• Creating, maintaining, and distributing policies for anti-harassment
• Giving regular sexual harassment prevention training to both employees and their supervisors
• Giving multiple pathways to file harassment complaints, with options that do not have to involve the worker’s direct supervisor
• Carrying out impartial investigations for all allegations

If your employer’s negligence or wrongdoing resulted in harassment that was allowed to continue or ignored a report, they may be held accountable under California or federal law.

Legal Pathways for Oakland Workers

If you’ve been subject to sexual harassment in Oakland, a dedicated attorney from our firm is eager to help you. We can look into your case, help you submit a claim with the California Civil Rights Department, collect crucial evidence to support your case, and, if necessary, take your case to court. Together, we can help you get compensation.

FAQs

Do I Need Evidence to Prove Sexual Harassment?

No, it is not always necessary to have hard evidence to file a complaint for sexual harassment. Although evidence such as witness statements, emails, texts, and documentation can bolster your case, your own testimony may be sufficient. A skilled attorney can assist you with gathering crucial evidence for your case and building a compelling argument, even if you have limited documentation, including a record of incidents that occurred.

What if I Was Harassed by a Coworker, Not My Boss?

If you were harassed by your coworker, you were still protected under California law, regardless of who your harasser was. Under California law, employers are responsible for any harassment of coworkers that they knew about or reasonably should have known about, or if they failed to take swift and reasonable action.

You’re not required to put up with abusive or offensive behavior from your colleagues – and employers who failed to protect you could be held accountable.

Can I Be Fired for Reporting Sexual Harassment?

No, it is against the law to face retaliation for reporting sexual harassment in the state of California. If you have been punished in any way for coming forward, such as through demotion or termination, you could be entitled to even more recovery. Under California law, you have the right to work in a non-hostile environment and report any instances of harassment without fear of retaliation. A detail-oriented attorney can help you protect your rights.

Is Sexual Harassment Still Illegal if It’s Just Verbal?

Yes, even if sexual harassment is happening through just verbal behaviors only, such as sexual comments, degrading jokes, or any type of offensive comments or unwanted sexual conversations, it may be against the law if it is particularly pervasive or severe. According to the definitions set out by California law, harassment does not have to be physical in order to constitute a claim.

Speak with an attorney if your colleague’s behavior is making you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

Can a Man File a Sexual Harassment Claim?

Yes, a man can absolutely file a sexual assault claim in California. This is because sexual harassment happens to all people, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, or other background status. All men, women, non-binary, and LGBTQ+ employees are protected under California law. If you’re facing harassment, intimidation, or feel unsafe at work based on your gender or sexual identity, you may have the right to file a claim.

You Deserve to Be Heard – Speak With a California Sexual Harassment Lawyer Now

Whether you are a long-standing employee who is facing harassment from your supervisor or a job applicant who’s being pressured into sexual, inappropriate behavior to get a job, you have rights under California law. A dedicated Oakland sexual harassment lawyer from Sexual Harassment Law Firm CA is eager to help you fight back and hold your harassers accountable. Contact us today to get started discussing your case.