Over 5 million employees are sexually harassed at work every year according to a 2018 University of Massachusetts Amherst study. . The study also finds that 99.8% of these employees never file any formal charges. However, in the wake of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movement, California has led the way in bringing more awareness to our nation’s sexual harassment problem.
Although California has led the nation’s focus on the #MeToo and #TimesUp movement, a 2019 study that it also leads the nation in reported incidences of sexual harassment. According to the study, more than 86 percenstudy t of women in California and 53 percent of men report having experienced some form of sexual harassment in their lifetime. This is 5% higher for women and 10% higher for men than the national average.
As the statistics show, sexual harassment continues to be a widespread problem across the country. If you have been the victim of sexual harassment, Pimentel Law is here to help. Our sexual harassment lawyers in Los Angeles understand that sexual harassment is never acceptable and that no person should be marginalized and demeaned in the workplace.
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WHAT IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT?
California’s Fair Employment & Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits sexual harassment based on sex or of a sexual nature, gender, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. Sexual harassment can include many types of offensive behavior, including:
- Physical touching
- Impeding or blocking movement
- Unwanted sexual advances
- Offering employment benefits in exchange for sexual favors
- Leering
- Making sexual gestures
- Displaying sexually suggestive pictures, objects cartoons or posters
- Making derogatory comments, jokes, epithets and slurs
- Sexual comments about a person’s body, sexually degrading words used to describe an individual and suggestive or obscene letters, notes, or invitations
- Actual or threatened retaliation
WHAT IS MY EMPLOYER REQUIRED TO DO TO STOP HARASSMENT?
All employers are required to take the following actions against sexual harassment:
- Implement a sexual harassment prevention policy with a procedure for employees to make complaints and for the employer to investigate complaints
- Post the (DFEH 162) Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) employment poster in the workplace
- Distribute the (DFEH-185) sexual harassment pamphlet or an equivalent document to all employees
- If a sexual harassment allegation is made, the employer must:
- Conduct a thorough, objective and complete investigation
- Communicate results to the alleged victim, alleged harasser and any others directly concerned
- If sexual harassment occurs, the employer must:
- Take action to stop the harassment and ensure it will not continue
- Communicate to the victim that action has been taken to stop the harassment from recurring
- Take steps to remedy the victim’s damages
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY HARASSED?
If you have been the victim of sexual harassment, immediately report it to the persons who are in a position of authority to investigate and correct it, including Supervisors and Human Resources personnel. You should also make a record of your complaint by sending a confirming email or text to the persons who you made your complaint to. You should take detailed notes about the nature, times, and dates of the harassment incidents. If you believe your employer failed to investigate your complaint or failed to take appropriate corrective action, you should call one of our sexual harassment attorneys in Los Angeles.
WHAT YOU MAY EXPERIENCE WHEN REPORTING SEXUAL HARASSMENT
According to a 2018 study, nearly 70% of all employees who report sexual harassment face some form of retaliation by their employer. Understandably, you may feel nervous about reporting sexual harassment to your employer for fear of retaliation. But you are not alone, and our sexual harassment lawyers in Los Angeles will stand up against any retaliation by your employer. At Pimentel Law, we have a long and successful track record of winning sexual harassment and retaliation cases. If you have been retaliated against for reporting sexual harassment, we can get you financially compensated for all of your emotional and financial losses and even get you reinstated if you have been fired.
STAND UP AGAINST SEXUAL HARASSMENT TODAY
Sexual harassment is a bane on our society and keeps its victims from realizing their fullest potential. However, thanks to the #MeToo and #TimesUp movement, social awareness of sexual harassment is at an all-time high, and victims of sexual harassment are more empowered than ever before to speak out against it. Speak out against sexual harassment and hold your employer accountable for its actions by calling our Sexual harassment attorneys in Los Angeles today. At Pimentel Law, we have over 10 years of experience helping victims of sexual harassment stand up against sexual harassment.
Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights and receive quality legal representation for your sexual harassment claim.
Schedule a free case evaluation, contact us today.
