Sacramento Sexual Harassment Lawyers
We Are Sexual Harassment Lawyers Protecting Employees Rights and Community’s Standards
Being subjected to harassment because of sex or gender cuts to the core of our self-worth, dignity and place in the community. We are experienced sexual harassment attorneys here to help you and send a message to those who violate our community standards.
What is “Sexual Harassment?”
While sexual harassment can take a variety of forms, it generally boils down to two different scenarios employment situations.
The first is known as “quid pro quo” harassment which translates to “something for something.” It commonly occurs when a term of employment is conditioned on submitting to unwanted sexual advances. Most commonly quid pro quo sexual harassment happens when a supervisor requires you to engage in sexual conduct in order for you to receive an employment benefit such as a promotion or raise.
The second common form of harassment occurs when someone is subjected to a “hostile work environment.” This typically occurs when an employee is subjected to unwanted harassing conduct because of sex, gender, and/or gender expression. The harassment must be sufficiently severe and pervasive that a reasonable person in the victim’s situation would consider the work environment to be hostile or abusive.
Conduct is severe or pervasive when it alters the terms and conditions of employment. Conduct that is occasional, isolated, sporadic or trivial is not considered severe or pervasive. A hostile work environment may be created under the following circumstances: (1) when the harassment is directed at you; (2) when the conduct is not directed at you but you personally witnessed the harassment in your immediate work environment; or (3) when there is widespread sexual favoritism in your work environment.
What are some examples of sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment occurs in a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to:
- Sexual harassment could be either verbal, written or physical, or a combination of these.
- The victim as well as the harasser may be a woman or a man. The victim may be of the same sex.
- The harasser can be the victim’s supervisor, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker, or a non-employee.
- The victim does not have to be the person harassed, but could be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.
- Unlawful sexual harassment does not have to cause economic injury to or discharge of the victim, meaning you don’t have to be fired for it to be a hostile work environment.
- The harasser’s conduct must be unwelcome.
How do I know if I am a victim of sexual harassment?
If you feel that someone in your workplace is making unwanted sexual advances or creating a hostile work environment based on your gender, you are probably right about what’s happening. It is a situation where you must “trust your instincts.” (CLICK HERE for a YouTube video by Kresta Daly with tips for workers who encounter sexual harassment.)
If you are the victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, or another professional or social situation, you may feel powerless, vulnerable and afraid to speak out. Our experienced attorneys can help you in assessing the situation, and we will do so with compassion and empathy. You are not alone. We are here to help you heal and make our community stronger. Contact us now.
What should I do if I am being sexually assaulted?
If the sexual harassment is physical – if unwanted touching or rape is occurring – we strongly recommend that an immediate police report be made. Find your nearest police or sheriff’s station and make a report.
If you have been the victim of unwanted touching or sexual assault at work, it is incredibly important that you obtain treatment from your personal physician and emotional support through individual and/or group therapy. Sexual assault resources include the RAINN Hotline: (800) 656-4673 (https://www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline; https://hotline.rainn.org/online/terms-of-service.jsp; https://centers.rainn.org.