Santa Clara Sexual Harassment Lawyer
Sexual harassment at the workplace is against the law. Both federal and state laws protect employees. There are various forms of sexual harassment, and it is not always simple for employees to identify which conduct rises to the level of illegal harassment. It can also be challenging for employees to take the steps necessary to hold their employers accountable. Of course, employees rely on their employers for their paychecks, which means that challenging an employer for creating a hostile work environment can feel as though you are putting your livelihood at risk. If you are a worker in Santa Clara, California, and you are facing workplace sexual harassment, remember that there are laws in place to protect you.
Contact a Santa Clara sexual harassment lawyer to discuss your legal options. At the Costanzo Law Firm, our attorneys can help you navigate the legal system and ensure that your rights are protected. Call us today at 408-993-8493 to speak to an experienced Santa Clara employment law attorney.
Hostile Workplace Environment in Santa Clara
Sexual harassment is sometimes overt, and other times it may include a series of minor incidents that together develop a hostile work environment. If your employer or coworkers subject you to pornographic images, inappropriate sexual jokes, insults based on your sex or gender, innuendos, or other conduct that makes you feel uncomfortable, you might have a claim for sexual harassment. Even in the case of one severe incident, you might have a claim based on that one event. However, in many cases, sexual harassment is a product of multiple events that together create an environment that is hostile to one or more workers. To learn more about whether you may have a claim against your employer, you should speak to an experienced Santa Clara employment law attorney.
Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment
Quid pro quo sexual harassment claims involve an employer offering benefits in exchange for sexual conduct or threatening employees with employment-related actions if they do not engage in sexual conduct. For example, if your boss suggests that you are up for a promotion but infers that you will not get that promotion unless you engage in sexual conduct with that individual, this is a form of quid pro quo sexual harassment that is illegal under California and federal law. Additionally, if your supervisor threatens to fire you for not engaging in sexual conduct with him or her, this is another form of quid pro quo sexual harassment. You should contact an attorney to discuss your rights as an employee and your options for pursuing a claim against your employer.
Responsibilities of an Employer to Prevent Sexual Harassment
In many cases, the conduct of a harassing employee will lead to the employer being held accountable for sexual harassment against another employee. In the case of high-level employees, CEOs, supervisors, and officers of the company, there is a strong chance the courts will hold the employer liable for sexual harassment. Other times, sexual harassment is carried out by coworkers of the victim, and perhaps the highest levels in the company are not even aware of that conduct. If an employer fails to take the necessary actions to prevent or to stop sexual harassment, the employer might still be liable for the actions of employees as long as the employer knew or should have known that the harassment was taking place. Contact a Santa Clara employment law attorney to discuss your legal options for pursuing a claim against your employer.
Fear of Retaliation for Reporting Sexual Harassment in Santa Clara
Employees often fear retaliation for reporting sexual harassment in their places of work. It is important to understand that as an employee who reports sexual harassment, the law is on your side. If you report sexual harassment and face termination, demotions, or other retaliatory actions, you might have a claim against your employer.
Filing Sexual Harassment Complaints in Santa Clara
In order to file a claim for sexual harassment, you will have to file either with the federal agency, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or with a state agency, which in California is the Department of Fair Housing and Employment. To file a lawsuit, you will first have to receive a right to sue letter from the state or federal agency with which you filed your claim. Your attorney will be able to navigate the system and help you determine whether your case is better handled by state or federal law. You may also have to contact your human resources department as a part of the process.
Contact a Santa Clara employment law attorney to discuss your claim.
Call the Costanzo Law Firm Today to Discuss a Santa Clara Sexual Harassment Claim
At the Costanzo Law Firm, our attorneys are ready to fight for your rights. Call us today at 408-993-8493 to discuss your claim with a dedicated Santa Clara, California, employment law attorney.
