Workplace environments are meant to be comfortable and safe for all employees. Unfortunately, some workers may be subjected to sexual harassment from their coworkers. There are many forms of sexual harassment, both physical and verbal, and there are specific laws in place to prevent such actions. If you’ve been a victim of sexual harassment in your place of work, you may be eligible for financial relief. Talk to an Oakland, CA sexual harassment lawyer to discuss the details of your case.
In California, there are various state regulations that govern and define sexual harassment as any unwanted sexual advance or behavior. These sexual behaviors do not have to be strictly physical, as they may pertain to visual and verbal conduct as well. Examples of sexual harassment include but are not limited to staring, making sexual gestures, displaying suggestive images, making derogatory remarks or sexual innuendoes, any form of unwanted touching or the blocking of movements, and offering benefits in exchange for sexual requests. Each case involving sexual harassment is different, so it’s important to discuss your situation with an attorney.Â
Legally, employers in California with greater than 50 employees are required to train all supervisors in sexual harassment prevention. This training must be completed within six months of entering a supervisor role and renewed every two years after that. Sexual harassment training must include key points such as:
Only specific people are qualified to provide sexual harassment training, including but not limited to human resource professionals with experience in discrimination claims, certain attorneys practicing employment law, and university instructors with 20 hours of training.
If you’ve been a victim of sexual harassment in your workplace, there are some steps you should take. First, consider hiring a sexual harassment lawyer. They can assist you in filing a complaint with the EEOC, which is the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or the CDFEH, otherwise known as the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. You will have 180 days or one year to file a complaint with these departments, respectively. These agencies will determine whether you are permitted to file a lawsuit. Your attorney will then assist you in the formal lawsuit process where you may be able to recover damages if the case can be proven. It’s important to recognize that you are legally protected from retaliation during your case in ways such as termination, loss of pay, or decreasing job duties.Â
As a victim of sexual harassment in your place of work, you are not alone. Your employer and other agencies will ensure that you are protected during your claim. For further support throughout your case, a sexual harassment lawyer may guide you through the steps of your harassment claim. At The Law Office of Jeannette A. Vaccaro, attorney Jeannette Vaccaro focuses exclusively on representing employees. Contact us today to get started on the path to justice for your sexual harassment case.Â
Jeannette is passionate about employee rights. She fights to shed light on injustices and to help her clients move beyond troubling times. Contact Jeannette today for a free case evaluation.
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