Most report being verbally harassed by male coworkers.
Sexual Harassment Attorneys in Oakland
All employees have the right to freedom from sexual harassment
If you have experienced workplace sexual harassment you are not alone. A survey of 2,235 female employees by a major nationwide magazine uncovered that one in three women have experienced sexual harassment at work. In the past, harassment has often gone unreported. Therefore it is important to understand how the law can protect employees who have been harassed. The sexual harassment attorneys at Erlich Law Firm will listen to your goals and concerns, and can advise you of your legal options.
OAKLAND SEXUAL HARASSMENT: TABLE OF CONTENTS
Sexual harassment happens regardless of career, status, or income, and can take many forms. It may be as extreme as pressure for an unwanted relationship in exchange for employment benefits ("quid-pro-quo" harassment), but may also appear as a pattern of inappropriate sexual language, content, or behavior permeating the workplace ("hostile work environment").
Your employer is required to promptly investigate sexual harassment and take action so that it stops
It is illegal for an employer to retaliate against a worker for reporting sexual harassment. If an employer does not take action to stop the sexual harassment, or terminates an employee for reporting it, then the employee can take legal action to recover damages for any lost pay, pain and suffering. You are also protected when the nature of your employment situation makes it impossible to complain to your employer.
What types of harassment are women reporting in the workplace?
What Creates a Hostile Work Environment?
A hostile work environment occurs when an employee is repeatedly subject to unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. The behavior has to be severe enough, or happen often enough, that any reasonable person would feel the situation was abusive and altered the conditions of employment.
The following actions contribute to a hostile work environment
The types of harassing behavior are almost limitless, but some common examples are included below. Regardless of exactly how severe or frequent the harassment is, the law imposes penalties on an employer if they terminate an employee in retaliation for complaining about sexual harassment.
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Verbal Harassment
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Physical Contact & Graphic Materials
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Unwanted Pressure of Advances
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Other Inappropriate Behavior
What is Quid Pro Quo Harassment?
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Pressure for favors: Quid Pro Quo harassment
If someone with power pressures a coworker into an unwanted relationship in exchange for employment opportunities, then that is a very severe form of sexual harassment.
When this happens, contact a sexual harassment lawyer immediately.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
This in exchange for that
The legal term quid pro quo is derived from a Latin phrase meaning roughly “this, in exchange for that.”
The most common situation is where someone with power in the organization promises a raise or promotion, or threatens to fire, or harm the reputation of an employee. This may be a boss, or some other powerful figure, and the threat may be clear, or implied. You should never have to tolerate this type of pressure in the workplace.
Harassment is widely underreported
Most people, both men and women, do not report harassment internally or file a legal complaint. Approximately 70 percent do not talk to a manager, supervisor or union representative and approximately 90 percent do not file a complaint. Even in this environment, 76 harassment charges are filed daily.
What if there is no one to report the harassment to?
The law encourages employees to report sexual harassment using the company's internal complaint procedures, to allow the company to correct the problem. But the law also recognizes it may not be possible to complain, for instance where the harasser owns the business or past complaints were ignored. If you are in an intolerable situation it is best to speak to a sexual harassment lawyer immediately.
CASE STUDY
Sexual harassment and retaliation
A supervisor sent our client a sexually explicit text/GIF. Months later, the supervisor began to intimidate and threaten our client.
RESULT
Our sexual harassment lawyers were able to obtain $1.2 million in compensation for emotional distress damages and lost wages for harassment and retaliation.
Client testimonials
Call for a free case evaluation
We understand it can be difficult to come forward in cases of workplace harassment. The experienced sexual harassment attorneys at Erlich Law Firm are available to answer your questions or concerns. We will investigate your case and fight on your behalf for the compensation you deserve. Call us for a free consultation.
(510) 390-9140