Sexual harassment is gender discrimination under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Thanks to social movements like #MeToo, many employers have recently become more aware of the prevalence of sexual harassment in the workplace, expanded their anti-harassment training, and enacted stricter sexual harassment policies. However, sexual harassment in the workplace continues to be a serious problem in California, and employees at all levels of a company need a clear, strong understanding of what actions can constitute sexual harassment and what conduct is acceptable under the law.
If you believe you have been the victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, be sure to discuss your situation with a knowledgeable San Francisco sexual harassment attorney. You could have a valid legal claim that entitles you to compensation.
Workplace sexual harassment generally falls into two categories – quid-pro-quo harassment and hostile work environment harassment. Quid-pro-quo is Latin for “this for that” and describes situations where an employee is offered a reward in exchange for sexual favor or threatened with negative action if they don’t comply. This behavior is usually, but not always, directed at an employee by a manager or someone with supervisory authority over the employee. The creation of a hostile work environment, on the other hand, is harassment which has a negative impact on the victim employee’s working conditions or ability to perform the employee’s job duties.
Generally, sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination involving prohibited behavior that is unwanted and results in harm to the person being harassed. Some examples of sexual harassment may include, but are not limited to:
Some forms of harassment are clearer than others, and the following can all be true of workplace sexual harassment in California:
Sexual harassment is not always apparent, so it’s critical that anyone who believes they are a victim of such behavior discuss their circumstances with an experienced San Francisco sexual harassment lawyer. An attorney can gather the necessary details and evidence to determine if a valid sexual harassment claim exists.
Conduct based on an employee’s gender that interferes with an employee’s ability to work puts their job on the line or creates a hostile work environment is considered sexual harassment. Examples of sexual harassment that may not be as obvious as others include:
If you think you’ve been subjected to workplace sexual harassment, you should discuss your case with an experienced San Francisco sexual harassment lawyer at the Law Office of Jeannette A. Vaccaro today to find out what rights you have under federal and California laws. Contact us to schedule a confidential case review.
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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