Riverside Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Riverside Sexual Harassment Attorney

Employment can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience, but few things ruin this experience more than suffering sexual harassment at your workplace. Sexual harassment should never be tolerated as something normal, yet these behaviors are often dealt with by employees who may be too afraid to file a complaint or speak up for fear of risking their jobs and livelihoods. If you believe you are the victim of sexual harassment, a Riverside sexual harassment lawyer can help.

At Sexual Harassment Law Firm CA, our team has been helping the victims of sexual harassment get their lives back for over 30 years. We have the experience necessary to help you reclaim what has been taken from you and progress back into life in a safe and healing manner. We are here to help you through every step of the legal process, from making you aware of all your legal options to negotiations with your employer and even arguing your case in a courtroom.

What Defines Sexual Harassment in Riverside?

Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome or unwanted sexual remarks, advances, and comments, any requests made for sexual favors, or any physical or verbal conduct of a sexually explicit nature that affects the employment of an individual. This can include any kind of sexual harassment, regardless of the victim and the offender’s sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Sexual harassment can take several forms in Riverside, including the following:

• Quid pro quo harassment. This form of sexual harassment occurs when an individual in authority over others in the workplace, such as a boss, manager, supervisor, or employer, offers favorable work benefits such as a promotion or raise in exchange for sexual favors. They may also threaten certain forms of retaliation, such as a demotion or wrongful termination, if you do not grant them these sexual favors.
• Hostile work environment. This kind of sexual harassment occurs when the harassment itself has become so pervasive and severe that you are no longer able to perform the necessary duties of your job. This can occur when your employer mishandles, ignores, or allows severe, continuous, and unwelcome sexual behavior to come from one or more employees that affect other employees within the workplace.

There are several examples of how these forms of sexual harassment can occur within a Riverside, CA work environment. The most common examples of workplace sexual harassment include the following:

• Any forms of unwelcome or unwanted physical contact, such as touching, groping, stroking, kissing, hugging, or brushing
• Sending sexually explicit or pornographic materials to coworkers
• Discussing the personal sexual exploits of others in the workplace
• Repeatedly asking a coworker for dates or sexual favors after being told no
• Written communications of a sexual nature that are unsolicited and unwelcome
• Making comments, remarks, or jokes of a sexual nature, such as in the case of making comments regarding a coworker’s body
• Stalking
• Leering
• Commenting regarding the speculation of the pregnancy status of a coworker
• Making comments regarding the speculation of a coworker’s sexual orientation or gender identity
• Pressuring someone for a date or for the granting of sexual favors
• Suggesting that a coworker is better equipped or ill-equipped for a work-related task due to their gender

Victim Recovery in a Sexual Harassment Case

If you have faced sexual harassment in the workplace, there are several forms of victim recovery that you may be entitled to, including the following:

• Lost wages. You may be entitled to back pay and front pay in a sexual harassment claim. Back pay can include the wages and benefits you have missed out on due to harassment and job loss or demotion. Front pay can include compensation for the pay you could lose until you are employed again.
• Emotional distress recovery. This can include recovery for your non-economic losses, such as the emotional pain and suffering because of the sexual harassment. This can also include any emotional trauma you may have suffered and the costs involved.
• Punitive damages. In rare cases, you may be able to pursue punitive damages. These damages are often awarded to punish your employer for allowing such horrible and egregious acts of sexual harassment to occur in the workplace.

FAQs

What Should You Do If You Suffer Sexual Harassment at Work?

If you are dealing with sexual harassment at work, there are several steps you can take. First, you should speak with an experienced attorney who can help you protect your rights and file a complaint. You should also keep a detailed record of all incidents of sexual harassment and make note of where, when, and how the harassment took place.

What Is Gender Harassment?

In California, gender harassment can occur when an individual at your workplace seeks to undermine you simply because of your gender. This could include an example of a male employee making demeaning comments or remarks about a female coworker being unable to do her job simply because she is a woman.

What Are the Physical Impacts of Sexual Harassment?

There are several physical impacts that can occur because of sexual harassment. These can include suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, or anxiety disorders, which can cause you to deal with fatigue, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, heart palpitations, nightmares, flashbacks, muscle tension, and other physical symptoms. These physical impacts should be factored into your case.

How Can an Attorney Help in a Sexual Harassment Case?

When you work with an attorney in a sexual harassment case, they can review your claim and make you aware of your legal options. They can also help you file your claim with your employer’s human resources department and enter negotiations with your employer should your employer want to reach a settlement. If a settlement cannot be negotiated, your attorney can help you bring your claim to court.

Speak With a Trusted Sexual Harassment Lawyer Today

If you believe you are the victim of sexual harassment, the team at Sexual Harassment Law Firm CA is here for you. We are prepared to stand up and fight against the illegal harassment you have faced in your workplace and hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions. Call our offices today to request an initial consultation and learn more about our legal services.