Sexual Harassment

If you are the victim of a hostile work environment, your employer may be in violation of both federal and California employment laws. These laws define and protect workers from illegal workplace harassment. However, it is important to understand that the type of harassment that produces a hostile work environment under the law must be…

Sexual harassment in the workplace can be frustrating and frightening. The idea that someone in a position of power and authority over you is making unwanted sexual advances can make you fearful about your future. You are sure that this behavior is illegal. You decide to file a complaint with Human Resources, but you then…

The California State Capitol was the focus of a flurry of bombshell allegations last fall even in the midst of national reports of sexual abuse scandals beginning to rock the popular culture, one by one. In October, nearly 150 women with unified voice signed a letter directing attention to and condemning pervasive “dehumanizing behavior by…

Calling for a change to court rules on public records, California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye said on April 10, 2018 that she wants state courts to disclose the names of all judges who enter into settlement agreements that resolve sexual harassment or sexual discrimination complaints. According to a statement, Justice Cantil-Sakauye has created a five-member…

Recent attention and media coverage relating to the #MeToo movement has lawmakers drafting new legislation to protect victims against sexual harassments in the workplace. A bipartisan bill aims to end forced arbitration used to resolve workplace disputes regarding sexual harassment. The “Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Harassment Act of 2017,” although introduced last December, is…

Excluding issues involving employer harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or other unlawful conduct, California operates as an “at will” state. This means that under California law, unless you have a contract with your employer, the employer can terminate you at any time, without warning, and for any reason. This also gives you the right to leave your…

Conversations about the pervasiveness of sexual harassment and abuse are taking place everywhere. The ongoing saga of well-known individuals encountering the shame of accusations of sexual misconduct continues to lead the headlines. The recent increase in allegations of sexual harassment and assault has led some confessed offenders to seek help to address their despicable behavior.…

The media attention of the #MeToo movement has largely been focused on people with a platform: film stars, CEOs, musicians, politicians, and so forth. But the increased visibility has helped employees and workers in less prominent positions, too. A recent New York Times article shed light on a history of harassment and assault at the…

In the wake of a flood of allegations against current and former lawmakers in the California state Senate, sexual harassment complaints will now go to an outside legal team, instead of being handled internally. This means that senators can no longer review grievances against themselves or their co-workers, and all investigations will go outside the…

Many employees and aspiring employees are sexually harassed. Sexual harassment includes requests for sexual favors, sexual advances that are unwelcome, and physical and verbal harassment that is sexually related. Offensive remarks can be sexual harassment. Generally, sexual harassment is illegal when the victim fails to get a job, is fired, or a hostile work environment…

In response to numerous allegations about a culture of sexual harassment within Silicon Valley, a California senator has introduced a state bill that will offer female entrepreneurs some protections from the unwanted advancements of venture capitalists. Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson from Santa Barbara recently introduced a bill that would explicitly prohibit sexual harassment by venture capitalists as an amendment…

Allegations of sexual harassment in Silicon Valley have made headlines in the news lately. However, a report by Bloomberg Technology asserts that accusations of a sexual harassment problem goes back decades. Speaking about a culture that is now being referred to as the “open secret” of Silicon Valley, numerous women have come forward with stories…

Sexual harassment in the workplace is often characterized as a female problem, where women are subjected to inappropriate behaviors by men. While this is the case for a vast majority of harassment claims, statistics show that men are also dealing with the disturbing effects of sexual harassment within the workplace. As reported by the Equal…

When sexual harassment occurs at the hands of a government official, victims may have the option to file a suit against the state for damages. But the process is not as easy as it may sound. The California Government Claims Act has requirements in place for people who want to sue a government agency on…

According to Safe4athletes.org — a nonprofit dedicated to helping abused students and sports organizations draft effective policies to prevent, stop, and report abuse — sexual abuse and harassment of athletes of any gender by coaches is a major problem. Students and young athletes place their trust in coaches to help the students achieve better athletic…

Today, most businesses, organizations, and nonprofits have Internet service at work and on mobile devices. While the Internet makes communication across the globe and throughout companies easier, it is also a new source for sexual harassment. People can now use a variety of technologies to make workers of both sexes feel frightened to open their…

Let’s say things got a little rowdy at the office holiday party this year: too many people had too many drinks, and everyone’s inhibitions seemed to fly right out the window. While you were standing in line for a glass of champagne, or chatting with a friend, a coworker you barely know comes up and…