Workplace sexual harassment in California is illegal. You have the right to a work environment free from sexual assault, hostility, and harassment. Sexual harassment in the workplace is any conduct that creates a hostile, offensive or intimidating environment. California law clearly states that sexual harassment conduct does not have to have anything to do with sexual desire, but rather is based on an employee’s sex (or gender identity), or sexual orientation. At California Employment Counsel, APC we know you have rights in the workplace and can work with you regarding your sexual harassment grievance. What conduct constitutes sexual harassment? The

On behalf of California Employment Counsel, APC on Wednesday, September 4, 2019. Unwelcome touches, offensive emails or persistent advances are only a few ways in which an employee may feel sexually harassed on the job. Whether these or other behaviors occur once or on a regular basis, you want to have confidence that your employer will take you seriously if you bring it to his or her attention. Too often, complaints about sexual harassment are ignored at best and become the object of retaliation at worst. Sexual harassment in the workplace is not something new. Fortunately, recent media attention on

On behalf of California Employment Counsel, APC on Wednesday, August 7, 2019. In the recent years since the #MeToo movement, many workplaces have taken important steps to identify and eliminate sexual harassment. This includes clarifying the behaviors that define sexual harassment and taking a strong stand of zero tolerance against those who mistreat co-workers in this manner. In some cases, it may have meant a radical change in the culture of a specific workplace. As a result, reports of sexual harassment dropped nearly 40%. Unfortunately, the complete picture is not so rosy. In fact, if you are still suffering under

California is governed by three sets of laws that prohibit workplace sexual harassment, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, The Fair Employment and Housing Act (called “FEHA”) and the California Constitution. These laws make workplace sexual harassment in California illegal under federal law and state law. In addition, sexual harassment is also prohibited under the policies of most employers. You have the right to a work environment free from sexual assault, hostility, and harassment. Understanding what constitutes sexual harassment can be challenging. While sexual harassment is officially defined as any conduct that creates a hostile, offensive

On behalf of California Employment Counsel, APC on Monday, July 8, 2019. You have the right to a safe work environment, and this does not only mean avoiding accidents and injuries. If you feel unsafe because your employer or a coworker is harassing you, it can be very difficult to do your job or even to show up for work. Sexual harassment is against both California and federal laws, and your harasser could face serious penalties if you bring the situation to light. Unfortunately, many in your position are unsure of how to proceed to get the harassment to stop.

On behalf of California Employment Counsel, APC on Friday, June 7, 2019. You've probably heard the saying "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" at some point. You understand this to mean that if you do something for someone, the other person will do something for you. This may be acceptable when you are exchanging favors with friends or family, but it has no place at work. You are already receiving income and benefits in exchange for performing your job duties. No one should tell you that you have to do something personal, such as exchanging sexual favors, in order

On behalf of California Employment Counsel, APC on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. In any workplace in California or elsewhere, you will find a variety of personalities. Some you will look forward to encountering throughout the day, and others you will dread. You may be working with someone who talks too loudly, complains about health issues or has an unpleasant body odor. Others make you uncomfortable in other ways. Your co-workers may make excuses or brush off a colleague's behavior as just being overly friendly. Maybe some explain the behavior as part of the difference between cultures or generations. It may

On behalf of California Employment Counsel, APC on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. Even before the #MeToo movement took place, concerts and musical festivals were infamous for the amount of sexual misconduct that happened within the premises. Many young adults often take advantage of these events thanks to the large crowds and lack of adult supervision by harassing or groping other attendees without their consent. This repulsive behavior was especially present at 2018’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, arguably one of the most popular annual music events in California. Shortly after last year’s festival, a Teen Vogue article went viral

On behalf of California Employment Counsel, APC on Monday, March 25, 2019. Since the emergence of the #MeToo movement, multiple industries have been taking efforts to eliminate sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. For some companies, coming up with methods to decrease bad behavior is more effective when they know how big the problem currently is. In April 2018, the American Economic Association (AEA) sent out a survey to over 45,000 workers asking them to describe their current workplace climate. Over 9,000 chose to respond, and the results showcase how large the discrimination gap is between male and female

On behalf of California Employment Counsel, APC on Thursday, March 7, 2019. Recently, California lawmakers have been debating over a judge’s ruling that cases involving students accused of sexual assault should include a live cross-examination from both parties. Some believe that this is the right choice as it would provide a fair trial. Others think that this could be traumatizing to the victim and give them another reason not to report the crime to campus safety. Despite the #MeToo movement encouraging many young adults to speak up about their experiences, college students can have an especially difficult time discussing any