Workplace sexual harassment affects millions of employees every year. It is a form of sex discrimination that can occur in any work environment, regardless of the industry or occupation. Sexual harassment is illegal under federal and state law, and employees who are victims of sexual harassment have the right to file a complaint and pursue legal action.
At King & Siegel, our compassionate Elk Grove sexual harassment lawyers represent clients who have experienced workplace sexual harassment, ensuring they receive the justice and compensation they deserve. If you are a victim of sexual harassment, contact our experienced attorneys today. We can help you determine the strength of your case and any potential remedies. We pride ourselves on holding bad actors accountable and will fight for your rights from case inception to finish.
What Is Sexual Harassment?
The U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC) defines sexual harassment as unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
Workplace sexual harassment encompasses a wide range of sexual behaviors that unreasonably interferes with work performance or creates a hostile, offensive, or uncomfortable work environment for the target. Anyone in the workplace can perpetrate these behaviors, including supervisors, coworkers, or clients. They can also occur between people of the same or opposite genders.
It’s important to note that sexual harassment isn’t just limited to explicitly sexual interactions or a direct request for sexual favors. Any behavior that is sexual and affects the target’s employment or work environment can constitute sexual harassment.
Common examples of workplace sexual harassment include:
- Unwanted physical touching—including hugging, patting, or brushing up against someone in an unwelcome and inappropriate manner;
- Verbal harassment—including inappropriate comments about a person’s body, appearance, or sexual activities, as well as sexually suggestive or offensive jokes;
- Non-verbal harassment—including leering, making obscene gestures, or displaying sexually explicit images or materials in the workplace;
- Sexual advances or propositions—including unwelcome requests for sexual favors or repeated attempts to initiate a romantic or sexual relationship;
- Retaliation—including taking adverse employment actions against an employee for reporting sexual harassment or participating in a harassment investigation; and
- Conditioning employment benefits on sexual favors—a supervisor or manager making employment decisions contingent upon an employee submitting to sexual advances or engaging in sexual activity is committing sexual harassment.
If you believe you’ve experienced workplace sexual harassment, the Elk Grove sexual harassment attorneys at King & Seigel can help you understand your legal rights and options, guide you through filing a complaint or lawsuit, and help you negotiate a settlement.
What Is a Hostile Work Environment?
A hostile work environment occurs when unwelcome sexual conduct unreasonably interferes with an employee’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment. This outcome can result from a single severe incident or a series of incidents that, taken together, create a hostile atmosphere. A hostile work environment may also exist without economic harm, such as demotion or termination, as long as the conduct is severe or pervasive enough to affect an employee’s work environment. To establish a hostile work environment, courts and agencies like the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) consider factors such as the frequency and severity of the conduct, the impact on the employee’s work performance, and the power dynamics between the harasser and the employee.
If you believe you are experiencing a hostile work environment, report the conduct to your supervisor or human resources department immediately. If your employer does not act to address the situation, the Elk Grove sexual harassment lawyers at King and Seigel can help. We are experienced in identifying hostile work environments and advocating for our clients’ rights and can assist you in exploring your legal options.
Why Should I Work with an Elk Grove Sexual Harassment Attorney?
By providing clients with legal representation, guidance, and support, sexual harassment lawyers play a crucial role in addressing workplace sexual harassment. Some of their key responsibilities include:
- Assessing your case. A sexual harassment lawyer can ascertain the strength of your case by evaluating the nature of the bad actor’s conduct, the evidence available, and the potential remedies under federal and California state laws.
- Guiding you through the legal process. Navigating the workplace sexual harassment legal process can be overwhelming. A sexual harassment lawyer can guide you through each step, from filing a complaint with the appropriate agency to representing you in court if necessary.
- Gathering evidence. Sexual harassment lawyers can access resources and tools to help gather evidence to support your claim, including witness statements, company records, or expert testimony.
- Negotiation and litigation. Sexual harassment attorneys deeply understand the nuanced federal and state laws protecting workers’ rights and are skilled negotiators and litigators. They can effectively represent your interests in settlement negotiations, mediation, or trial.
- Emotional support. Experiencing sexual harassment can be emotionally devastating, and the legal process can exacerbate the ordeal. A sexual harassment attorney can provide much-needed support and reassurance as you move through the process.
Overall, working with a sexual harassment attorney can significantly improve your chances of successfully settling your case and help ensure it gets resolved promptly, promoting a safer, more inclusive work environment for everyone.
King & Siegel LLP: Experience You Can Trust
Workplace sexual harassment is a deeply concerning issue that affects an employee’s well-being, job performance, and career growth. At King & Siegel, our Elk Grove sexual harassment attorney have recovered millions in settlements for our clients. We are dedicated to ensuring that employees who’ve experienced sexual harassment receive the justice and compensation they deserve. If you or someone you know was subjected to workplace sexual harassment, we can help you understand your rights, navigate the legal process, and fight for the justice you’re entitled to. Call us today or contact us online for a free 30-minute consultation. You won’t pay unless we win.