Los Angeles Workplace Sexual Harassment Lawyers

Protecting the rights of employees facing sexual harassment in the workplace

In California and throughout the United States, employees have the right to a workplace that is free from harassment. Both state and federal employment laws offer protections from sexual harassment, and for employees who report sexual harassment and then suffer retaliation because of it.

At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, our experienced Los Angeles sexual harassment lawyers are dedicated to fighting for your right to recover compensation when you have endured sexual harassment in a hostile work environment, and encountered any form of retaliation for having reported sexual harassment against you. Contact our trusted Los Angeles sexual harassment lawyers to discuss your case.

What is sexual harassment?

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) defines sexual harassment as "Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature." When this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment; unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance; or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, it is in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

What are some examples of sexual harassment at work?

Sexual harassment is workplace discrimination based on gender. The aggressor can be any gender or of the same gender as the person being harassed. The harasser can be the victim's supervisor, a vendor, a co-worker, a manager from another part of the company or even someone who is not an employee of the company. No economic injury is required, but the harasser's behavior must be unwelcomed. It may include:

• Uninvited sexual comments or behavior
• Sharing inappropriate images or videos of a sexual nature
• Making inappropriate sexual gestures
• Inappropriate touching
• Sending emails or notes with inappropriate content of a sexual nature
• Telling inappropriate, sexually suggestive or overt jokes
• Making sexual comments about a person's physical appearance
• Other offensive, unwelcomed, unwanted sexual contact

If you are facing sexual harassment that involves violence or assault, you can call law enforcement immediately. The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (CDEFH) recommends that you read your company's sexual harassment policy and act accordingly. You may wish to submit a written complaint but keep a copy of it and a log of every incident of workplace sexual harassment which includes the date, time and anyone else who was present. You can file a complaint with CDFEH online, by phone or by mail. Visit the California Attorney General's office website for more information and resources on workplace sexual harassment.