Work should be a place where you feel safe and respected. When it isn’t, the effects reach into every corner of your life. You may find yourself depressed, distracted, and irritable with your family. You might even start thinking that you are the problem for taking things too seriously.
Your feelings are valid, and you are not the problem. Sexual harassment in the workplace is illegal, and it happens more than most people realize. Our sexual harassment lawyers in Palmdale are here to help you pursue the compensation and accountability you deserve.
Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys has been advocating for California workers since 2016. If you are ready to talk, contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. Our employment lawyers in Palmdale are here to fight for your rights.
How California Defines Sexual Harassment
Many people assume sexual harassment only applies to physical contact, but that is not the case. Under California law, sexual harassment includes things like:
- Unwanted sexual comments
- Repeated requests for dates after being told no
- Sexually explicit messages or images
- Demeaning jokes about your gender
California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) provides some of the strongest worker protections in the country. Our sexual harassment attorneys in Palmdale can help you understand how the law applies to your specific situation and what your options are.
Types of Sexual Harassment
California recognizes two primary forms of workplace sexual harassment:
- Quid pro quo harassment occurs when someone in a position of authority conditions your employment, pay, schedule, or advancement on your willingness to submit to sexual demands.
- Hostile work environment harassment occurs when conduct is severe or pervasive enough that a reasonable person would find the workplace intimidating or abusive.
If you have experienced either of these situations, reach out to our legal team today. You deserve a safe work environment where you are free of harassment, and your employer is legally obligated to provide it.
Actions Our Legal Team Can Take
Sexual harassment claims involve a specific legal process, and missing a step or a deadline can seriously damage your case. Our attorneys manage that process from start to finish so you can focus on moving forward.
Depending on the facts of your case, we will typically:
- Evaluate your situation during a free consultation, so you understand what the law may allow before making any decisions.
- Identify and preserve evidence, including text messages, emails, performance reviews, and witness accounts that support your claim.
- Handle all contact with your employer and their attorneys, so you are not pressured, manipulated, or caught off guard.
- File complaints with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which is often a required step before a lawsuit can be filed.
- Pursue a retaliation claim if your employer demoted you, cut your hours, changed your schedule, or fired you after you reported the harassment.
- Negotiate aggressively for a settlement that reflects the full scope of what you have been through, financially and emotionally.
If your employer and their attorney still refuse to treat you fairly, we’re not going to back down. We’ll take your case to court and fight for an award that fully accounts for your damages.
(310) 526-8383Employer Responsibility and Sexual Harassment
Employers in California have a legal duty to prevent and address sexual harassment in the workplace. If a supervisor harasses an employee, the employer is often automatically liable.
When a coworker is the harasser, liability depends on what the employer knew and did.
California law prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who report harassment. If your workplace took negative actions against you afterward, we can pursue an additional claim.
Larger companies sometimes try to minimize complaints or move slowly through internal processes. Our Palmdale sexual harassment lawyers can help make sure your complaint is taken seriously and that your rights are protected throughout the process.
Compensation in a Sexual Harassment Claim
A successful sexual harassment claim can result in several categories of financial recovery to compensate you for your company’s actions. Potential damages may include:
- Lost wages
- Back pay and future lost earnings
- Emotional distress damages
- Attorney fees
A court may award punitive damages if your employer’s conduct was especially egregious or showed a reckless disregard for your rights. This is meant to punish your employer and prevent similar behaviors in the future.
Talk to Our Sexual Harassment Attorneys in Palmdale
No matter where you work or what your role is, you are entitled to a workplace free from harassment. We understand that speaking up can feel risky. You may worry about your reputation or how colleagues will treat you.
Those fears are reasonable, and they are exactly why having an experienced legal team in your corner matters. Our sexual harassment attorneys in Palmdale will help you understand what sexual harassment is and choose the best path forward.
Omega Law Group has spent nearly a decade fighting for California workers who have been treated unjustly. We put our clients first. Always.
Call now to schedule your free consultation and learn more about how we can help with your sexual harassment case.
