San Bernardino Sexual Harassment Attorney

You have worked hard to get to where you are. Whether you work in the logistics hub of San Bernardino, companies like Amazon or UPS, or a smaller business along Sierra Way, you may be subjected to sexual harassment. However, this doesn’t mean you should put up with this kind of treatment. Instead, you can file a legal claim with the help of a San Bernardino sexual harassment attorney and take your life back.

At California Employment Counsel, APC, we are passionate about fighting for our clients. Let us handle the legalities of a sexual harassment case so you can focus on your own mental and physical health and recovery. Facing this kind of treatment can feel overwhelming and daunting, but no one should feel as though they need to endure this conduct just to keep their job and make a living. Instead, let us fight for you while recovering the compensation and justice you deserve.

In California, more than 86% of women and 53% of men say they have experienced some kind of sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime. However, one study showed that 90% of individuals who have suffered this type of misconduct don’t report it for fear of losing their jobs and ability to make a living.

To protect yourself, it is critical to know the two main kinds of sexual harassment that can occur in the San Bernardino workplace, which are the following:

This kind of workplace sexual harassment can happen when there is any kind of harassment, not just sexual misconduct. Nevertheless, many of these cases do include sexual harassment. This kind of environment can cause an employee to feel threatened, uncomfortable, or unsafe. The harassment can even become so pervasive or severe that the employee feels unable to do their job. Examples include:

• Consistent, unwanted, and unwelcome sexual advances or flirting, even after the victim has asked the perpetrator to stop
• Constant and unwanted touching or “accidental” touching
• A co-worker hanging up sexual materials in their office or workspace
• Circulating sexually explicit or suggestive images and videos to others in the workplace
• Feeling like you have no choice but to quit your job because the harassment has made you so uncomfortable at work
• Feeling like the target of sexual jokes, gestures, or other unwanted remarks

This is one of the more common kinds of sexual harassment that can take place in San Bernardino. This occurs when an individual who holds some kind of power in the workplace, such as an employer, a boss, a manager, or a supervisor, approaches a subordinate and requests certain sexual favors in exchange for a workplace benefit. In some cases, though, the powerful individual threatens retaliation if the sexual favor is not granted. Examples include:

• Your employer threatens to fire you if you don’t go on a date with them.
• A supervisor threatens to give you a poor performance review if you do not have sex with them.
• A manager offers to promote you if you engage in a sexual act with them.
• An employer gives you a raise if you enter into a sexual relationship with them.

If you have faced sexual harassment at your place of work, there are several steps you can take to hold your employer accountable. These include the following:

• Collecting evidence. It is important that you document all the comments and/or incidents that pertain to the acts of harassment. These can include all texts, emails, social media messages, voice messages, or phone calls that demonstrate the extent of the harassment.
• Reporting the harassment. You will then need to report the harassment to your employer, either in a written or verbal statement. You must allow your employer the chance to remedy the situation by reporting the incident to the right party. This is usually with an HR department or the employer directly.
• Filing a complaint. If nothing is done about the harassment, you can then file an official legal complaint with the EEOC and California’s Office of the Labor Commissioner.
• Consulting an attorney. You will then want to speak with an experienced sexual harassment attorney. They know how to hold the liable party accountable for the harm you have suffered. Don’t try to face a sexual harassment claim on your own. Instead, allow us to fight for your rights in San Bernardino.

Dealing with sexual harassment can cause several disruptions to your daily life. These disruptions are often measurable in monetary losses and expenses. Fortunately, a legal claim can secure compensation for any losses you have suffered. Damages in most San Bernardino sexual harassment claims include:

• Back pay. This can cover all wages, benefits, or salary that were lost due to the harassment you suffered.
• Front pay. A sexual harassment claim can recover all future employment compensation that you might have lost because of the sexual harassment.
• Pain and suffering. This can include any damages you have suffered, such as physical pain, psychological distress, and emotional trauma. These are all non-economic damages that can arise from instances of harassment.
• Medical costs. You can recover compensation for any medical expenses related to the sexual harassment you have sustained.
• Punitive damages. In rare cases, you may be awarded punitive damages, which are intended to punish the wrongdoer for particularly egregious or malicious behaviors.

At California Employment Counsel, APC, we believe that all individuals who have suffered sexual harassment at work deserve justice and compensation. No one should feel as though they need to endure this treatment to hold onto their job. We feel that everyone in San Bernardino is entitled to a safe and comfortable work environment. Contact our offices today to learn more about our legal services by scheduling your initial consultation with our team.