Sexual harassment in the workplace can create a situation that is stressful and sometimes scary. If you’ve been the victim of workplace harassment, a Santa Rosa employment lawyer can help.
At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, our sexual harassment lawyers in Santa Rosa will fight for the fair compensation you deserve. Putting our clients first. Always! Contact us for a free consultation.
What Is Sexual Harassment in the Workplace?
Sexual harassment can take many forms. In California, sexual harassment is governed by the Fair Employment and Housing Act, which bars unwelcome advances and conduct. Examples include:
Quid Pro Quo
This type of harassment involves a boss or supervisor leveraging your job/position in exchange for sexual favors. For example, pressuring you to go on a date in exchange for a promotion.
Hostile Work Environment
This is a situation where you feel unsafe or uncomfortable at work due to the environment around you. It can include:
- A colleague sending you inappropriate sexual messages.
- Colleagues engaging in “locker room talk” while in the breakroom.
While hostile work environments often come down to who you work with, they can also include clients/customers who are offensive. An example would be a customer repeatedly asking for your number or using lewd language with you. If you inform your employer about this harassment and they fail to take action to prevent it, they may be liable.
Who Is At Fault for Sexual Harassment in the Workplace?
Sexual harassment is never the fault of the victim. Your lawyer will investigate to determine if the harassment stems from a sole perpetrator or if others are also at fault. For example, if you notified a supervisor about a colleague’s harassment, but the supervisor failed to take action.
Helpful evidence to prove fault can include:
- Witness testimony from your colleagues or customers who saw the harassment take place.
- Harassing messages.
- Messages or emails you’ve sent to a colleague or supervisor that document the harassment.
- Security camera footage.
- Phone records.
- Incident or HR reports about the harassment.
What Compensation Can You Pursue in Sexual Harassment Cases?
Sexual harassment creates a hostile workplace, which can have far-reaching effects on your life. Your Santa Rosa sexual harassment attorney will fight for fair compensation and seek to account for those losses. This compensation may include:
- Lost wages: If you needed to take time off work, were wrongfully terminated, or left your employment because of the hostile work environment.
- Diminished earning capacity: If the harassment negatively impacted your ability to get promotions or to be hired elsewhere.
- Emotional distress: The mental stress, anxiety, and trauma of the situation.
- Medical costs: Stress can take a physical and mental toll. Medical bills related to doctor appointments and therapy can be covered.
It’s important to note that there are deadlines for recovering compensation. What is the statute of limitations for an employment lawsuit? For sexual harassment cases, you typically have three years to file your claim with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD).
How Can a Sexual Harassment Lawyer in Santa Rosa Help With Your Case?
Having a lawyer on your side removes the stress of a legal battle so that you can focus on rebuilding your life after harassment. At Omega Law Group, we treat every client with the care and compassion that they deserve.
We will:
- Investigate and gather evidence to prove the harassment took place.
- File all necessary paperwork.
- Handle all communications with the other parties involved.
- Negotiate for fair compensation.
- Represent you in court when needed.
We offer timely updates and will answer any questions you have. Our goal is for you to feel supported throughout the entirety of the legal process.
Why Choose Omega Law Group?
Our client testimonials speak to the commitment we provide to our clients. We have thousands of five-star reviews. We also work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t have to worry about the legal costs or upfront fees. Instead, you only pay us if and when we recover compensation for you.
What Should You Do If You’ve Been Sexually Harassed at Work?
If you’ve been harassed or are being harassed, there are a few steps to take that can be helpful for your claim. However, if you believe your safety is in danger, your first steps should be to get somewhere safe and contact the authorities.
Additional steps to take include:
- Document everything: Keep emails and text messages that have been sent. You should also take screenshots of any messages sent on apps (such as Teams or Slack), as they can be deleted.
- Make a formal complaint: Let your supervisor or Human Resources know about the harassment. Do so in writing, so that you have a record of making the complaint.
- Get witness information: If a colleague or a customer witnessed the harassment, get their contact information.
- Make notes: If the harassment is verbal, write down what happened as soon as possible. Be detailed, include what was said, when and where it happened, and if anyone else witnessed it.
- Contact an employment lawyer: The sooner you have legal representation, the sooner they can begin building your case.
- Get the help you need: Sexual harassment can make you feel ashamed, anxious, and depressed. Ensure that you are getting the emotional and mental support you need during this difficult time.
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Contact a Santa Rosa Sexual Harassment Lawyer Today
If you’ve been harassed, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or to blame yourself. Our legal team is here for you. We’ll fight for accountability and for you to get the fair compensation you deserve.
Contact us today and get started with a free initial consultation. Our Santa Rosa sexual harassment lawyers will go over your legal options and help you prepare for the next steps.
