Addressing Sexual Harassment in the California Workplace: Reporting and Legal Action
Sexual harassment or discrimination based on sex can be quite frightening for any employee in the workplace. As a California employee, you can seek protection under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act for any kind of sex discrimination. According to these laws, all types of unwanted sexual advances, and sexual identity-based unfair treatment are prohibited in the workplace of California. If you feel that you are being a victim of sexual harassment, you need to take certain measures to seek legal help. This article will enlighten you on how to deal with sexual harassment at work legally. Follow the procedures below for your benefit.
What can you do against sexual harassment in the workplace?
Follow the company policy
If you face sexual harassment in the workplace, you need to know if there are any sexual harassment company policies. You need to calm yourself and act according to the company policy. If you feel threatened in the workplace at any time, call 911 or contact the police for immediate action.
Inform the management
You must inform the managment immediately whenever the harassment takes place. Talk to your supervisor or HR department about the unpleasant situation. Make a formal complaint and submit all the evidence you have to support your claim. Provide as many details as you can and enlist the information of the witness if there are any.
Contact the state agency
If you do not see any expected response from your company authority, you should inform the law agency about your issue. You can contact the California Civil Rights Department or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and let them know about your situation. You can file the complaint online or via phone and mail. They will take your case and conduct further investigation on your behalf. CRD will enforce sexual harassment in the workplace laws to pursue damages for your case.
Consult an experienced lawyer
Sexual harassment laws can be perplexing for you. In such cases, an attorney will give you proper direction. He will tell you how to deal with sexual harassment at work. You should hire an attorney so that you can follow the legal procedures of reporting sexual harassment accurately.
File a civil lawsuit
You can file a lawsuit against your employer in court if you want. You can ask to recover damages for emotional distress, back pay, attorney fees, witness fees, lost promotion, change of company policy, etc.
Can you get fired for sexual harassment?
According to Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), your employer can not fire you for complaining about sexual harassment in the workplace. Retaliating against any employee is strictly prohibited when you are the victim of sexual harassment and made a complaint to the authority.
Final Words
Sexual harassment in the workplace has been made unwarrantable under California state laws. You should fight against the assault and take necessary steps under the protection of these laws. But you need to know how to deal with sexual harassment at work first. The above article has provided a thorough discussion of that. Hopefully, it will be useful for you.
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