Downey Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Downey Sexual Harassment Attorney

Workplace sexual harassment can, unfortunately, happen. If you’ve exhausted your workplace remedies, a Downey sexual harassment lawyer can listen to your circumstances and discuss your legal rights. Plus, a knowledgeable attorney can help explain the next steps, address any questions you might have, and explore all available methods for financial recovery.

What Recovery Is Available for Sexual Harassment in Downey, California?

In California, workplace sexual harassment is unlawful, and such unwelcomed actions can lead to a claim against the harasser and the employer. A victim can seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses for treatment for mental anguish
• Lost wages, including any lost back pay, future pay, or lost benefits
• Effect on their reputation
• Demonstrable pain and suffering
• Attorney fees
• Court costs and fees
• Professional witness fees

If necessary, a victim can recover punitive damages, where appropriate, to force their employer to address their sexual harassment policies, courses, and training manuals.

Who Faces Sexual Harassment Claims?

In California, a claim can be filed against the harasser and their employer. An employer can be held responsible for the sexual harassment if the harasser was a supervisor or if the employer knew, or should have been aware of, the sexual harassment but failed to take quick, appropriate, and remedial action.

California employers can be liable when sexual harassment is committed by a supervisor, even if their employer didn’t know it was occurring. Employers in California must:

• Create a work environment that’s harassment-free
• Create a policy against sexual harassment and make sure all employees understand how to report any harassment
• Conduct reasonable steps designed to prevent unlawful workplace harassment

Interestingly, California law also protects other employees who are impacted by a hostile work environment, even when they’re not direct targets.

Types of Workplace Sexual Harassment

There are two different types of workplace sexual harassment, which include:

• Hostile work environment – if there are unwelcome sexual actions that are severe and pervasive and the workplace environment feels abusive or threatening in a sexual way, like repeated requests for dates or many physical touches during an employee’s day, such actions can be sexual harassment in a hostile work environment.
• Quid pro quo – this Latin phrase means “something for something” or “this for that. Quid pro quo harassment occurs if a person in a position of authority, like an employer or a victim’s supervisor, makes a decision about work based on the victim’s acceptance or refusal of their sexual advances, like saying an employee is promised a promotion in exchange for sexual favors.

If you think you may have experienced either type of workplace sexual harassment, it’s crucial to report the harassing actions to your company, either through your supervisor or to Human Resources. Thereafter, a sexual harassment lawyer can help with filing a formal claim.

Can I File a Sexual Harassment Claim for Non-Physical Actions?

Employment law prevents sexually harassing actions at work, even those that aren’t physical, such as:

• Slurs
• Social media posts
• Inappropriate displays of a sexual nature in a public place
• Leering
• Sexual jokes
• Text messages or photographs of a sexual nature

Any of these actions could create an offensive work environment.

How Do I Prove My Sexual Harassment Claim?

To prove a sexual harassment case in Downey, you typically have to provide evidence to prove an employee, a supervisor, or one of the agents of the company made unwelcome sexual advances or that you were subjected to some other form of sexual conduct. You must prove you were harmed by the harassing behavior such that it altered the terms or conditions of your employment.

An Experienced California Employment Attorney Can Help

You are entitled to a safe workplace in California without any sexual harassment. If you believe your rights were violated, an attorney familiar with sexual harassment law can help. Consult a skilled California employment lawyer for your individual harassment case.

FAQs About Downey Sexual Harassment Laws

Can Text Message Screenshots Be Used in Court?

Text message screenshots can be used in court. Generally, to be admissible, screenshots must be verifiable, clearly distinguish the involved parties, and show the time and date of the texts. A witness can provide context, and an attorney or forensics professional can help further authenticate the screenshots.

Can You Go to Jail for Sexual Harassment in California?

In California, on its own, sexual harassment is not a crime punishable by jail time. However, certain specific criminal actions like sexual assault or stalking can demonstrate sexually harassing conduct with criminal penalties. Sexual harassment at work can result in a claim filed against the harassing employee and their employer; as such, sexual harassment actions remain unlawful at work.

An experienced employment attorney can further discuss sexual harassment and all potential penalties.

Can You File a Claim for Sexual Harassment and Get Financial Compensation in Downey, California?

In California, you can file a claim for sexual harassment and seek compensation if you’ve experienced workplace harassment. According to the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), workplace sexual harassment is unlawful, and under the FEHA, victims can pursue medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress damages if they win.

An experienced attorney can discuss your circumstances and all available financial compensation for your individual sexual harassment case.

What Is Considered Psychological Harassment in Downey, California?

In California, psychological harassment, or emotional abuse, means non-physical behavior like:

• Financial abuse
• Repetitive hostile actions, words, or behavior
• Insults or threats
• Constant criticism or name-calling
• Keeping someone from seeing family or friends
• Preventing someone from maintaining their religion or faith
• Destroying someone’s belongings
• Humiliation, bullying, or intimidation
• Gaslighting or manipulation

Workers are protected from workplace harassment, including psychological abuse. If you’ve experienced these actions and emotional abuse, it’s crucial to consult with an experienced attorney.

Consult a Trusted Sexual Harassment and Employment Attorney in Downey, California

If you believe you’ve personally faced workplace harassment, a trusted Whittier attorney can help. An attorney can listen to your unique circumstances and help build an employment case tailored to your individual situation.

The Shirazi Law Firm, PC, can help you recover financially as a victim of sexual harassment. Contact our office right away to set up a free initial consultation with an experienced employment law attorney.