West Covina Sexual Harassment Lawyer

All workplaces should be free of sexual harassment. Despite the many legal protections in place, these situations happen every day across California. If you or a loved one has suffered sexual harassment at your West Covina place of work, from an office complex in Walnut Valley to a hospital near Badillo Street, you have rights, and it is essential to exercise those rights. Speak with a West Covina sexual harassment lawyer who can help protect those rights.

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Let GUZMÁN & TOKAR LLP Protect You in the Workplace

At GUZMÁN & TOKAR LLP, our team of experienced and skilled attorneys is dedicated to protecting the rights of employees across all positions and industries in West Covina. Over our many years of legal service, we have protected individuals across a variety of professions, including office staff, retail workers, healthcare professionals, technicians, and more. If you have suffered sexual harassment at work, we are here to stand up and advocate for you.

Types of Sexual Harassment in West Covina

According to a recent report, 82% of women and 42% of men in the United States have experienced some form of sexual harassment or abuse in their lifetime. This is an important statistic to be aware of, as there is a common misconception that only women can be victims of sexual harassment. Men can, too, yet are more likely to stay silent regarding the abuse.

At GUZMÁN & TOKAR LLP, we are here to be your voice and help you seek the compensation and justice you deserve after facing this illegal and predatory behavior. There are two main types of sexual harassment that can occur in the workplace that might warrant compensation. These include:

• Hostile work environment. In West Covina, when your place of work becomes steeped with discriminatory intimidation or harassing behavior to the point where it becomes so severe or pervasive that you are unable to carry out the duties of your job, this creates a hostile work environment. In many cases of a hostile work environment, you don’t need to prove the harassment was sexually motivated, only that it exists.
• Quid pro quo harassment. When any employee is offered job benefits, such as a promotion, raise, or more desirable schedule, in exchange for the granting of certain sexual favors, this is known as quid pro quo harassment. It can also include instances in which the employer threatens the employee with retaliation, such as being fired or demoted, if the requested sexual favors are not granted.

Complaints

In recent years, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, has received almost 100,000 complaints regarding harassment, over a quarter of which were labeled as sexual harassment reports. Seeing these numbers helps victims to understand that they are not alone. Speaking up is scary, especially when you fear your employer may try to retaliate against you.

What to Do if You Have Faced Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

If you believe you are the victim of sexual harassment in your West Covina workplace, it is important that you take certain steps to protect yourself and your coworkers from similar behavior. These steps include the following:

• Collect evidence. The success of your claim will likely depend on the strength of evidence you can provide, showing the truth of the sexual harassment. This evidence can include detailed notes regarding the incident, including the date, time, and location, along with statements made by eyewitnesses or coworkers, pertinent medical records, or any written communication between you and your employer regarding the harassment.
• Report the harassment. In California, it is important that you report the sexual harassment to your employer in writing before you file any sort of claim.
• File a complaint. If your company or employer refuses to acknowledge the harassment or take any action to correct the situation, then you need to file your official complaint with the EEOC. This is a required step before you can file a legal claim.
• Speak with an attorney. Finally, it is essential that you speak with a tested employment attorney who can review your case, determine its viability, and help you collect necessary evidence to prove that the harassment took place.

FAQs

Q: Does Workplace Sexual Harassment Only Happen to Women?

A: No, workplace sexual harassment does not only happen to women, but can also happen to men. In fact, men face a 14% prevalence rate of sexual harassment in female-dominated work environments. If you are a man who has faced sexual harassment at work, you have nothing to be ashamed of, and it is time to seek legal counsel to recover the justice and compensation you deserve.

Q: Who Can Commit Sexual Harassment in California?

A: In California, sexual harassment can be committed by nearly every party present at a workplace or on a jobsite. These parties can include your boss or supervisor, especially in cases of quid pro quo harassment, a coworker or group of coworkers, and certain third parties, such as independent contractors, clients, and suppliers.

Q: Can My Employer Retaliate Against Me for Filing a Sexual Harassment Claim?

A: No, legally, your employer cannot retaliate against you for reporting any kind of sexual harassment or filing a sexual harassment complaint. However, this does not always stop an employer from doing so. If you have faced this kind of retaliation, then you may be entitled to seek further wrongful termination or retaliatory damages in addition to the sexual harassment damages.

Q: What Are Some Specific Examples of a Hostile Work Environment?

A: There are many different examples of behavior that can constitute a hostile work environment. Examples can include sexual jokes, facing numerous sexual or sexist comments, dealing with negative stereotypes regarding your gender, continuous and unwanted sexual propositions, and any lewd remarks or insults that are directed at you regarding your sex or gender.

Hire a Sexual Harassment Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love has been the victim of workplace sexual harassment, you are not alone. At GUZMÁN & TOKAR LLP, we don’t back down from a case, even if that case progresses to a courtroom. We aren’t afraid to stand in the gap and say, “Enough is enough.” We are here to pursue the fair and full amount of compensation you deserve, whatever your case entails. Contact our offices today to schedule a consultation and hire a sexual harassment lawyer.