Upland Sexual Harassment Attorney

Every employee deserves to feel safe when they clock into work each day in California. Unfortunately, thousands of employees in Upland and other cities throughout California experience sexual harassment at work every day. If you’ve been subjected to the harmful impacts of sexual harassment while at work, do not wait to find a law firm with experienced Upland sexual harassment attorneys who can protect your rights, your career, and your future.

At California Employment Counsel, APC, we believe work should be a safe space for everyone. That’s why we are dedicated to fighting for the employees who have had their safe spaces compromised. Our team of skilled employment attorneys is devoted to helping you build a strong claim and secure the compensation you’re rightfully owed.

Approximately 66.1% of the population over the age of 16 is a part of Upland’s civilian labor force. Healthcare is the biggest job sector in the city, accounting for about 12.8% of civilian workers, with other top industries including retail, education, manufacturing, and hospitality.

Regardless of which industry you work in, the state of California has implemented strict laws that give you a variety of rights as an employee. For example, businesses with at least five employees are mandated to implement some form of sexual harassment training and policies within their company. These policies are put in place to teach employees how to behave in the workplace and to help protect those who experience violations of their rights.

It’s important to note, however, that employers with even one employee can be held liable for sexual harassment, whether they commit the act themselves or perpetuate an unsafe work environment for those behaviors to thrive. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies as sexual harassment in Upland, consult an employment lawyer immediately.

Sexual harassment in the workplace is typically divided into two categories in California. Those categories are known as:

1. Hostile Work Environment. Sexual harassment is likely to interfere with an employee’s work performance. Over time, this can create an intimidating or hostile work environment. Even someone who isn’t the direct victim of sexual harassment can experience its impact on the atmosphere in the workplace.
2. Quid Pro Quo. In Latin, quid pro quo means “this for that.” Quid pro quo sexual harassment refers to situations where one party offers some type of work benefit in exchange for sexual favors. For example, a manager may offer a promotion to a lower-level employee if they agree to go on a date with them.

Regardless of which type of sexual harassment you experience, you deserve a chance to recover damages for your losses and hold the offender accountable.

Sexual harassment can take on many forms. Many cases involve a manager or person in power at a company propositioning their subordinate. In other situations, an employee may be harassing another employee at their level. Sometimes, even third parties like partners or external vendors may be the perpetrators of the harassment. Regardless, it’s ultimately the employer’s responsibility to handle these types of sexual harassment claims.

Behaviors that can be considered sexual harassment in a California workplace can include:

• Derogatory comments, jokes, or slurs
• Graphic or sexually suggestive comments
• Leering or other gestures
• Physical touching or assault
• Requesting sexual favors
• Sexually suggestive drawings, objects, or pictures
• Unwanted sexual advances

Nobody deserves to experience any form of sexual harassment, especially in their place of work. If you’re dealing with sexual harassment in your Upland workplace, do not wait to report it to your employer. Your place of work should have a policy for these types of situations, which can generally be your simplest path toward legal recourse.

You can also file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). You must do this within three years of the last incident you experienced. By reporting to your company and filing with a state or federal agency, you can explore the full scope of damages you may be able to recover and ensure your offender is held responsible.

The EEOC received 88,531 new discrimination charges in fiscal year 2024, which was nearly a 10% increase in claims from the year prior. Moreover, they recovered almost $700 million for victims of employment discrimination across the country. The CRD recovered $116.5 million around the same time for claimants filing in California.

If your claim is accepted for investigation, the CRD or EEOC prepares a formal complaint form for you to sign. They then send this to the party you’re filing against and review their response. These agencies cross-file with each other, so you don’t have to file with both.

The CRD may attempt to resolve a complaint itself or by forwarding the case to their dispute resolution division. If you’re still not satisfied with the resolution, you can file an official case with the San Bernardino Superior Court. It’s important to note that you must file a complaint with the CRD or EEOC before filing a legal case. The CRD often requires that you go through mediation to attempt to resolve your case before filing a case with the court.

When you experience sexual harassment at work in Upland, it’s crucial that you understand your rights and how you can hold the offender accountable for their harmful behavior. Working with an experienced Upland sexual harassment attorney gives you the strongest chance of filing a successful claim, securing damages, and holding harmful parties responsible.

No matter your situation, our team of employment attorneys at California Employment Counsel, APC, is committed to protecting your rights. We know that filing a sexual harassment claim can be daunting, and we are prepared to stand by you as your legal advocate through every step of your case. If you’re ready to take action after experiencing sexual harassment, contact our compassionate lawyers today.