Are you the victim of sexual harassment at your place of employment? This is inappropriate behavior, and you should not have to be on the receiving end of these actions. Instead of putting up with something so heinous, contact Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys ASAP.
Founded in 2016, we have what it takes to serve as your sexual harassment lawyer in Bakersfield. Together, our attorneys have decades of experience between us, and we’ll help you understand if your circumstances are considered harassment under California state laws.
Every time our employment lawyers in Bakersfield advocate for people who have been wronged at work, we focus on putting our clients first. Always! We recognize that workplace harassment cases are deeply personal, which is why we approach these matters with professionalism and care.
Understanding Sexual Harassment Under California Law
Sexual harassment in the workplace can take many different forms, and victims are often unsure whether their experiences meet the legal definition required to pursue a claim.
According to California state laws, sexual harassment refers to instances of unwanted conduct regarding your sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity, or related characteristics.
In turn, this behavior creates a hostile work environment for victims. It also increases the likelihood that refusing to accept someone’s advancements could affect your employment. Some forms of workplace sexual harassment are obvious:
- Inappropriate touching
- Requests for sexual favors
- Threats tied to employment advancement
- Explicit comments
However, harassment can also involve more covert behaviors:
- Repeated jokes
- Offensive emails or text messages
- Suggestive remarks
- Inappropriate images
- Persistent unwanted attention
The Consequences of Workplace Sexual Harassment
Ultimately, these actions can quickly make the victim feel uncomfortable or unsafe at work. California has some of the strongest employee protections in the country, but that does not mean employers always follow the law.
An attorney can help evaluate whether workplace conduct may qualify as sexual harassment under California law. Lawyers can also help determine whether employers failed to meet their legal responsibilities to prevent or stop inappropriate conduct in the workplace.
Types of Sexual Harassment Cases Commonly Seen by Sexual Harassment Lawyers in Bakersfield
Every workplace harassment situation is different, but several types of claims are seen more often than others by sexual harassment attorneys in Bakersfield.
Hostile Work Environment Claims
Hostile work environments are created by inappropriate behavior. They are intimidating, offensive, or abusive due to the behavior of supervisors, coworkers, clients, or vendors.
In many cases, victims are emotionally exhausted as a result of repeated comments, jokes, or conduct over time. A pregnancy discrimination attorney in Bakersfield can document patterns of misconduct on your behalf.
From there, they can demonstrate how the workplace is now intolerable and harmful to you.
Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment
Quid pro quo harassment occurs when employment benefits are conditioned on sexual conduct or when someone faces negative employment consequences for rejecting advances.
For example, a supervisor may imply that promotions, raises, scheduling preferences, or continued employment depend on compliance with inappropriate requests. These cases are especially serious because they involve abuses of power within the workplace.
Lawyers can help preserve evidence and hold employers accountable for the actions of supervisors or managers.
Retaliation After Reporting Harassment
Many employees hesitate to report harassment because they fear retaliation. Unfortunately, retaliation can occur in several ways, including demotions, reduced hours, poor performance reviews, termination, exclusion from workplace opportunities, or hostile treatment.
California law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who report workplace harassment or participate in investigations. A lawyer can help identify unlawful retaliation and pursue compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and other damages.
(310) 526-8383Why Victims Might Struggle to Report Workplace Harassment
Victims of sexual harassment at work might think they are trapped between protecting their health and safeguarding their careers. Many people need their jobs to support themselves and their families, which can make reporting misconduct feel risky.
Some employees worry that no one will believe them. Others fear they will be blamed for what happened or treated differently after speaking up. In workplaces where harassment has been ignored in the past, victims may feel reporting the conduct will accomplish nothing.
There are also situations where harassment gradually escalates over time, making victims question whether they are overreacting or misunderstanding the situation. Manipulative supervisors or coworkers may normalize inappropriate behavior until employees give up.
What Employers Must Do According to State Laws
California employers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent workplace harassment and respond appropriately when complaints arise. In fact, employers are expected to do the following:
- Maintain harassment policies
- Provide employee training in many situations
- Investigate complaints promptly
- Take corrective action when misconduct occurs
When employers fail to meet these responsibilities, they may face liability for the harm employees experience. Attorneys in these cases will determine if employers followed legally required procedures after the initial complaints were made. They can review HR documents, company policies, prior complaints, training records, and internal communications.
Call Omega Law Group ASAP for Legal Advice From Sexual Harassment Attorneys in Bakersfield
Omega Law Group prioritizes putting our clients first. Always! As a California law firm, our sexual harassment lawyers in Bakersfield have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.
Let our family take care of your family by contacting us as soon as possible. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can schedule a consultation, at which point you can meet us for free and talk to us about your circumstances.
With over fourteen law offices, we’re here to help you.
