Santa Monica Workplace Harassment Lawyer

In the case of workplace harassment in Santa Monica, it is vital to hire the services of an experienced Santa Monica workplace harassment lawyer to defend your rights and navigate complicated employment statutes.

At California Employment Counsel, APC, our attorneys are experienced over decades, representing employees throughout Santa Monica and Los Angeles County. We are familiar with the subtleties of California labor legislation, local labor laws, and ordinances in Santa Monica. Our firm has experience in areas related to harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and hostile working conditions.

We can provide individualized advocacy in collaboration with our local resources, such as the Santa Monica Police Department (333 Olympic Dr, Santa Monica, CA 90401) and other healthcare facilities, such as Providence Saint John’s Health Center.

Hiring a Santa Monica lawyer to deal with workplace harassment gives employees the legal representation that they need. Our local law firm is familiar with the Los Angeles Superior Court – West District (1725 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90401), where several workplace harassment cases and employment matters are adjudicated.

Through the assistance of a skilled attorney, victims can file grievances with the California Civil Rights Department or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, as well as keep their case timelines on track and retaliation recorded. A lawyer can also contact the Santa Monica Police Department when the harassment turns into a criminal problem and help acquire medical records.

California laws and federal protection support the employees of Santa Monica. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) outright prohibits harassment based on sex, race, age, disability, religion, or sexual orientation. Even one-employee business enterprises may be guilty of harassment.

Harassment prevention training and the establishment of policies to protect employees are also mandated for employers of five or more employees. On the federal level, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 offers further protection to employees.

California law identifies several forms of harassment, the most prevalent of which are:

• Hostile Work Environment Harassment: The repetition of off-putting or abusive behavior, remarks, or actions, which make the working atmosphere intimidating or abusive to the extent that it compromises your capacity to perform your duties. Although the harassment may not actually be towards you, the unhealthy workplace may result in an actionable complaint.
• Quid Pro Quo Harassment: In this type of harassment, a supervisor or manager bases job benefits, promotions, or continued employment on sexual favors. For example, when a manager threatens to reduce a worker’s hours unless they agree to date them, this could be considered quid pro quo harassment.

Both types of harassment are against the law in California and under federal statutes. Victims can seek legal redress when they hire a workplace harassment lawyer in Santa Monica.

Examples of some forms of harassment in the workplace include:

• Racist insults or off-color jokes
• Inappropriate physical contact
• The occasional sexual advances
• Retaliation against filing harassment complaints

The employers in Santa Monica are obligated by law to investigate and address instances of harassment as soon as they arise. Inaction is a strengthening factor of your harassment claim.

Harassment at work not only impacts your job, but it can also have physical and emotional long-term impacts on employees. Harassed victims might suffer from anxiety, depression, stress, and even some physical complications like headaches or fatigue that may eventually impact their work performance.

Institutions such as the Providence Saint John Health Center in Santa Monica are commonly engaged with victims who need medical care due to the harassment that they have suffered. A Santa Monica workplace harassment attorney can help you seek justice and obtain the necessary care and resources to help you overcome the emotional and physical impacts of the harassment.

Santa Monica is an active center of the gig economy, and a significant number of workers in the entertainment, hospitality, and technology industries depend on short-term or freelance jobs. Although not all gig workers in Santa Monica can be considered traditional employees, they do still qualify to be given protection under employment laws.

The nature of the relationship between a formal employer and employee does not imply that gig workers facing harassment cannot have specific difficulties when exercising their rights.

An employment attorney in the area who is familiar with workplace harassment can assist these workers in dealing with the challenges of pursuing claims, as well as making sure that such workers are afforded the same protections as permanent employees under the law.

In case of harassment in the workplace, employees can do the following to resolve the issue:

• Internal reporting: Complain to HR or management according to company policy. Record all the incidents by date, time, and witnesses.
• External complaint: Filed at the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the EEOC. CRD must be filed within three years of the incident.
• Legal case representation: A lawyer who handles harassment in the workplace can help with filing your case, mediation, and litigation in court if necessary.

The state of California recovered a total of $116.5 million in compensation through the Civil Rights Department in 2023 due to discrimination, harassment, or similar claims.

California law does not permit retaliation against employees who make complaints. Retaliation can involve poor working hours, demotions, and even dismissal upon reporting workplace harassment. Such deeds are unlawful according to the FEHA and Title VII, and a lawyer might assist the victims in proving retaliation.

If you are being harassed in your place of work in Santa Monica, it is imperative to know your rights according to the laws governing workplace harassment. Having a skilled Santa Monica workplace harassment attorney at your side can assist you in seeking justice and save your career.

Our legal team at California Employment Counsel, APC, has a long history of dealing with workplace harassment issues and advising our clients on the CRD, EEOC, and local court procedures. Call our firm today to speak about your case with an experienced lawyer.