According to Oxnard sexual harassment attorneys, sexual harassment happens all too frequently in the workplace. In fact, a recent report published by the EEOC shows that the agency received nearly 30,000 sexual harassment claims from FY 2018 to FY 2021. Additionally, the report goes on to state that many instances of sexual harassment go unreported. So, the actual number of sexual harassment cases is likely much higher.
While the majority of sexual harassment claims are filed by women, men can also be the victims of sexual harassment in the workplace. Either way, being subjected to sexual harassment can make for a hostile work environment and make it difficult to go to work every day. If you have been the victim of this type of harassment, knowing your rights and having someone to help can go a long way in getting you the justice to which you are entitled.
Gutierrez Law Firm has been helping protect the rights of employees for over 16 years. Our sexual harassment lawyers in Oxnard will fight tirelessly for you and work to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how our Oxnard sexual harassment attorneys can help.
Why Choose Our Oxnard Sexual Harassment Lawyers?
Being the victim of sexual harassment can be emotionally draining and make you fearful to enter your workplace. No one should have to deal with this type of harassment, and the employment lawyers in Oxnard from Gutierrez Law Firm can help you put a stop to it. The founding attorney at Gutierrez Law Firm has devoted her entire career to helping clients like you, and we can help you hold the responsible parties liable for their behavior.
When you choose us, you will get the personalized attention that you deserve. Our caring and compassionate Oxnard sexual harassment attorneys will take the time to get to know you so that we can help tell your story. Experience matters in these cases, so let us put our experience to work for you. Contact us today for your free consultation and let us go to work on your case.
What Is Sexual Harassment?
The EEOC defines sexual harassment as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.” They go on to state that the harassment does not have to be sexual in nature, but that offensive comments about a person’s sex may be considered harassment. Additionally, both men and women may be the victims of sexual harassment, and the victim and harasser may be the same sex.
Some common types of behavior that may be considered sexual harassment in California can include:
- Unwanted or unsolicited touching
- Gestures, such as staring, looking someone up and down, or making lewd or offensive sexual gestures
- Sending sexually explicit photos or videos to a coworker
- Detailing your own personal sexual experiences to a coworker
- Repeatedly asking a coworker on a date after they have already said “no”
- Making rude or inappropriate comments about a coworker’s body or the way they are dressed
- Comments speculating on the sexual orientation of a coworker
- Asking probing questions about a coworker’s sexual experiences or history
- Pressuring a subordinate for a date
- Threatening employment status if sexual favors are not performed or offering promotions or employment incentives for performing sexual favors
There certainly may be other types of behavior that could be considered sexual harassment that are not included on this list. If you believe you are being sexually harassed, you should promptly notify your Human Resources department and contact an experienced Oxnard sexual harassment attorney.
Who Can Be Held Responsible in Oxnard?
The parties that may be held responsible vary, depending on the specifics of your case. Generally, if you are being harassed by a supervisor or someone else in a position of authority, both your harasser and your employer can be held responsible. In California, employers are responsible for the actions of the supervisors who work there.
If you are being harassed by a coworker, you can hold the coworker accountable. However, your employer will not be liable unless they knew or should have known about the conduct and refused to do anything about it. If your harassment leads to wrongful termination, Oxnard wrongful termination lawyers can help you understand your rights and pursue a claim. In some cases, your harasser may also be subject to criminal charges, depending upon the specifics of their conduct.
What To Do If You Are Being Sexually Harassed in Oxnard
California takes sexual harassment seriously, and the state has enacted laws to prevent this behavior and protect victims of harassment. According to California law SB-1343, any employer in the state with more than 5 employees must distribute information to its employees concerning the internal reporting process for sexual harassment.
Generally, you should follow your company’s internal policy for reporting sexual harassment. This usually involves reporting the harassment to your supervisor or directly to your Human Resources department. If your direct supervisor is responsible for or participating in the harassment, you should attempt to find another leader in the organization to which you can make the report.
It is usually also in your best interest to consult an experienced Oxnard sexual harassment attorney in your area. An attorney can help you navigate the potentially complex legal waters surrounding sexual harassment claims. They can also help you with the proper reporting procedures and with gathering any necessary evidence to support your claim.
Try to keep as much evidence to support your claim as possible. This includes making detailed notes of any interactions with your harasser(s). Even though you might want to immediately delete any sexually explicit messages or photos, you should save these to help support your claim. The more evidence you can present to go along with your claim, the more likely you are to be successful in proving that harassment took place.
Contact An Oxnard Sexual Harassment Attorneys Today To Begin Working on Your Claim
If you have been the victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, contact Gutierrez Law Firm today. Our Oxnard sexual harassment lawyers will fight tirelessly to get you the justice you deserve. You should not have to deal with this type of conduct at work, and we will help you hold the responsible parties accountable and get the compensation to which you are legally entitled. Give us a call today at (213) 460-8380 to schedule a free consultation.