San Ramon Sexual Harassment Attorneys

Experienced Employment Lawyers Serving San Ramon, Danville, and Dublin Employees Who Suffer from Sexual Harassment

California labor laws give San Ramon employees the right to a safe work environment free from sexual harassment. However, that does not stop harassment from taking place. While speaking up about workplace sexual harassment is rarely easy, holding employers accountable for the misconduct is possible.

At Erlich Law Firm, our San Ramon sexual harassment lawyers represent workers in sexual harassment cases. With more than 20 years of experience, we know how to protect the rights of employees and ensure they recover the compensation they deserve.

Working in San Ramon

Nestled in Contra Costa County, San Ramon combines suburban charm with a thriving economic landscape, drawing workers from nearby communities like Danville, Dublin, and Pleasanton. The city also attracts commuters from farther afield in Oakland, San Francisco, and beyond. San Ramon’s proximity to major highways like Interstate 680 and access to regional transit options make it a convenient choice for professionals seeking employment in the city’s various industries.

Around 67 percent of San Ramon’s residents participate in the workforce. The city is home to more than 600 businesses. Additionally, the Bishop Ranch business park has offices belonging to nearly 3,000 companies, including AT&T and PG&E. Other top employers include Robert Half International, Bank of the West, Target, and IBM.

Top Industries and Employers in San Ramon

San Ramon is a thriving hub for several key industries, offering diverse employment opportunities. The East Bay city is best known as a center for corporate headquarters, with prominent employers such as Chevron, one of the world’s largest energy corporations, and GE Digital, a leading provider of industrial software solutions. These companies employ a large workforce across their office complexes, including 3,000 workers at Chevron alone.

Healthcare is another major industry in San Ramon, with institutions like San Ramon Regional Medical Center and Sutter Health providing essential services to the community. These facilities employ a wide range of professionals, from registered nurses (RNs) and physicians to medical assistants and technicians. Around 11.7 percent of San Ramon residents work in healthcare. San Ramon is also home to biotechnology firms like BioVentrix and RheoSense.

Meanwhile, the city’s hospitality sector supports the region’s growing business travel and tourism industries. Hotels like San Ramon Marriott, Residence Inn, and Hyatt House offer workers roles in housekeeping, food service, and customer relations.

How Does Sexual Harassment Occur at Work?

Workplace sexual harassment cases may involve quid-pro-quo harassment or a hostile work environment. Both forms of harassment are unlawful under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. Harassment can harm an employee’s career and mental and emotional well-being.

• Quid-pro-quo harassment: An extreme form of harassment in which a worker is pressured into sexual favors or an unwanted romantic relationship in return for employment opportunities. The harasser is typically someone in a position of power, such as a supervisor or manager.

The person may threaten to fire the employee or ruin their reputation if they refuse to comply. Whether the threat is explicit or implied, you should not tolerate such behavior in the workplace.

• Hostile work environment: This type of harassment can be physical or verbal. It consists of a pattern of inappropriate sexual behavior or repeated comments that make the workplace intolerable for the employee and alter employment conditions.

Proving a sexual harassment claim based on a hostile work environment involves showing the court that the unwanted behavior was severe or frequent enough that any reasonable person in the same situation would find the workplace abusive.

Behaviors potentially resulting in a hostile work environment can sometimes be hard to identify. Around 34 percent of workers do not recognize conduct that leads to a hostile work environment. A knowledgeable San Ramon sexual harassment lawyer can help you determine whether what you are experiencing meets the legal standards for a sexual harassment claim.

Types of Sexual Harassment

Workplace sexual harassment can range from inappropriate comments and lewd jokes to groping and sexual advances. A 2018 survey found that around 77 percent of women said they were subjected to verbal harassment, while 51 percent experienced unwanted touching.

No matter the type of sexual harassment you suffer, you should immediately report it to your employer. Here are some examples of common ways in which sexual harassment may occur on the job in San Ramon workplaces:

• Verbal harassment: Spreading sexual gossip, telling sexual jokes, catcalling, or referring to a coworker using words like “honey” or “babe.”
• Physical contact: Engaging in unwanted touching, using obscene gestures, or displaying pornographic images.
• Online harassment: Using the internet or social media to harass a coworker, such as by sharing obscure photos.
• Sexual advances: Pressuring a colleague into sexual contact, repeatedly asking to go out on a date, or asking excessive and intrusive questions about their personal life.

Sexual Harassment in San Ramon Workplaces

Sexual harassment can take place in San Ramon workplaces in a variety of ways, including crude jokes, comments about an employee’s appearance, unwanted touching, or inappropriate emails or messages. Unfortunately, retaliation is a common follow-up to sexual harassment complaints. Workers who speak up may face sudden negative performance reviews, denial of promotions, reduced hours, or even termination.

They may hesitate to report misconduct due to fear of negative consequences or damage to their careers. However, it is important for employees to recognize their rights and the steps they can take to document and address inappropriate workplace behavior. Below are some examples of how sexual harassment may occur in different work settings.

• Corporate Offices: Corporate offices in San Ramon often rely on collaboration and fast-paced schedules, where employees work long hours to meet demanding project deadlines. While these work environments foster innovation and teamwork, they can also create situations where inappropriate behaviors go unaddressed.

Sexual harassment might take place during meetings, after-hours work events, or even via digital platforms, where informality and a lack of oversight can blur the lines of professionalism. A project manager, for example, might repeatedly send offensive messages or sexually explicit online images to a coworker.

It is important to remember that sexual harassment does not have to occur in an office for it to be unlawful. California law protects workers from all employment-related harassment, such as misconduct during a work-related dinner at a restaurant or a company event.

Employees may find themselves unfairly excluded from key projects or denied promotions when they refuse to cooperate with a manager’s sexual advances. Emails and messaging platforms in corporate offices can leave a digital trail of harassment, which can later serve as crucial evidence in legal proceedings.

• Healthcare Industry: With the high-stress nature of the healthcare industry and the inherent power dynamics between supervisors and staff, workplaces can sometimes become hotbeds for sexual harassment and other employment law issues. In hospitals and medical offices, the long shifts and private working conditions can make it especially challenging for healthcare workers to speak out against sexual harassment. They may also face pressure to maintain a calm and professional demeanor in the face of misconduct.

RNs, medical assistants, or technicians might face inappropriate behavior from coworkers or supervisors. For example, an RN may endure repeated lewd comments about their appearance from a supervisor who later manipulates their work schedule as retaliation for refusing advances. In another case, a medical assistant may experience persistent sexual remarks from a coworker in a small office setting. The close-knit work environment can make it challenging to report the behavior without fear of retaliation or being ostracized by the team.

• Hospitality Sector: The hospitality sector comprises workplaces like hotels, resorts, and event spaces that employ service workers. Many employees work in roles requiring direct interaction with guests or supervisors. Housekeepers, banquet staff, or front-desk clerks are some of the workers who may be targeted for sexual harassment.

For instance, a housekeeping aide at a hotel may experience unwanted sexual advances from a manager who offers better shifts or favorable assignments in exchange for compliance. If the worker refuses, she may face retaliatory actions such as termination or being assigned undesirable tasks.

Another example could involve a banquet server at an event venue being groped by a guest while performing her duties. When the server brings this behavior to her supervisor’s attention, the response may be dismissive. The employer may brush the issue aside instead of investigating it, discouraging other workers from speaking up about similar misconduct. The workplace then perpetuates a culture of silence and tolerance of wrongdoing.

Filing a Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

If you experience sexual harassment while working in San Ramon, you should immediately report it to your employer. Follow your company’s internal procedure for reporting misconduct. If your employer fails to investigate your complaint or end the harassment, contact a San Ramon sexual harassment lawyer as soon as possible.

Sometimes, the nature of an employment situation makes it difficult for an employee to come forward, such as when an authority figure is responsible for the harassment. In such circumstances, it is best to seek legal advice from an attorney.

California law makes it illegal for an employer to retaliate against a worker who reports sexual harassment. Retaliation can result in wrongful termination, negative performance reviews, or other adverse actions. If you suffer retaliation for complaining about sexual harassment, you may be able to sue your employer to recover additional damages for the resulting losses.

Documents Required for a Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

For employees seeking to address workplace sexual harassment, gathering evidence is a crucial first step in building a solid legal case. Keeping detailed written records is essential. Victims should document incidents, including dates, times, locations, and descriptions of the harassment, as well as any witnesses who were present. 

Most workplaces, especially corporate environments, involve a lot of electronic communication. Saving digital evidence like emails or text messages is equally important for establishing a claim for sexual harassment.

Additionally, formal complaints made to HR or management should be documented. Be sure to keep track of the employer’s response—or lack thereof. If the company does not take steps to address reports of harassment, it can be liable for failing to stop the alleged unwanted behavior.

Employment records, such as performance reviews, work schedules, and correspondence about job duties or termination, can also demonstrate patterns of retaliation. If sexual harassment causes emotional distress or physical health issues, records from therapists or doctors can serve as further evidence of the toll the misconduct has taken.

Statute of Limitations for Filing a Sexual Harassment Claim

San Ramon workers have a three-year time limit for filing a sexual harassment complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. The three years start from the date the alleged misconduct last occurred.

Contacting an experienced San Ramon sexual harassment attorney is vital for ensuring you do not miss the deadline for pursuing compensation. The lawyer will file the necessary paperwork and protect your right to take legal action against your employer.

Call for a Free Case Evaluation

At Erlich Law Firm, we recognize that speaking up about workplace harassment can be difficult. Our San Ramon sexual harassment lawyers can answer your questions and explain your legal options. You should not have to tolerate unlawful behavior on the job. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you obtain fair compensation through a sexual harassment claim.