Rancho Cucamonga Sexual Harassment Attorney

Sexual harassment is a serious issue seen in many California workplaces despite state and federal laws being in place to keep employees safe. If you have been victimized by sexual harassment at your Rancho Cucamonga workplace, you’re entitled to seek compensation through a sexual discrimination claim. An experienced Rancho Cucamonga sexual harassment attorney can evaluate your case and help you build a strong claim to recover the damages you deserve.

When you experience sexual harassment in your place of work, it can be difficult to determine how to move forward. At California Employment Counsel, APC, our team of defense lawyers aims to clarify your legal options and workplace rights to ensure you protect yourself against harmful workplace behaviors. We can evaluate your case, collect evidence, and help you build a powerful claim, all while advocating for your rights throughout every legal proceeding.

Sexual harassment in a California workplace is defined as a form of discrimination based on someone’s gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. It’s typically classified under two categories in California:

1. Hostile Work Environment
   This term refers to situations where acts of sexual harassment create a disruptive and offensive atmosphere in the workplace. It’s important to note that you don’t have to be the direct victim of sexual harassment in order to experience its impacts in the workplace. For example, a coworker publicly sharing sensitive photos of another coworker can impact anyone in the office who sees the photos.
2. Quid Pro Quo
   This term pertains to situations where one person forces another person in the workplace to engage in sexual favors. This act can be posed as an opportunity (i.e., a manager offering a promotion to an employee in exchange for a date) or a threat (i.e., someone’s boss threatening to fire them if they don’t agree to go out with them).

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

• Inappropriate comments, jokes, or slurs
• Sexually suggestive comments
• Leering or other gestures
• Requesting sexual favors
• Graphic or sexually suggestive objects, pictures, etc.
• Unwanted physical contact or sexual advances
• And more.

Regardless of the details, nobody deserves to experience these types of situations in the workplace. Sexual harassment is a serious issue that has potential repercussions beyond simply disrupting the victim’s day. Acts of sexual harassment can make a person feel unsafe and can seriously affect them both physically and psychologically.

California law requires that employers with five or more employees provide sexual harassment education programs, including ongoing training every two years. Having a sexual harassment policy in place gives employees an avenue to exercise their rights if they feel they are being mistreated.

While sexual harassment may not always involve violence, these acts can open the door to more violent and lewd behavior. Approximately 1.3 million nonfatal violent crimes occurred in workplaces across the country in a four-year period. If you are being mistreated at work, it’s essential that you protect yourself and your career by taking legal action.

Depending on where you work, it’s likely your employer has a procedure in place for handling sexual harassment claims. It’s wise to report any situations to them immediately and present any relevant records and other evidence before taking legal action.

To broaden your scope of potential recovery, you can also file a claim with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). You must file your complaint with the CRD within three years of the last act of sexual harassment you endured.

Additionally, you must have filed a complaint with the CRD before you can file a legal case with the San Bernardino Superior Court. When you file with a state or federal agency, they conduct their own investigation and attempt to work with you to find a resolution outside of court first. If no settlements can be made, your case will likely go to trial.

If you’re attempting to recover damages from a sexual harassment claim in Rancho Cucamonga, the defense lawyers at California Employment Counsel, APC, can help you through the process. Whether it’s negotiating on your behalf in mediation or representing you in a trial, you can count on us to advocate for your rights and safety in the workplace.

To better understand sexual harassment in the workplace, it’s helpful to know a bit about the job landscape in Rancho Cucamonga. The top five industries in San Bernardino County, in terms of the age of civilian population employed, include retail, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and hospitality. Both the retail and healthcare sectors report over 10,000 employees each just in the county.

In recent years, California has had a higher sexual harassment rate than the national average. A California-based study found that 86% of women and 53% of men in California reported having a sexual harassment experience, as opposed to 81% of women and 43% of men nationally.

With so many people in the workforce, it’s critical to have policies and procedures in place to protect employees’ rights in the workplace. This is why any employer in California can be held liable for sexual harassment in the workplace, regardless of the number of employees they have.

Navigating a sexual harassment claim can be daunting, especially if you’re nervous about confronting your employer. By working with a compassionate Rancho Cucamonga sexual harassment attorney, you can rely on the skills and resources of legal professionals who are dedicated to protecting your rights.

Our team at California Employment Counsel, APC, has experience successfully navigating complex cases, including sexual discrimination claims in the workplace. We understand the challenges that come along with filing a claim against your employer, and we’re here to advocate for you. Reach out to our team to set up an appointment and learn more about how we may be of service to you.