There is a misconception that incidents of sexual harassment are infrequent and continue to decrease as the workplace becomes more educated on proper behaviors.
Workplace politics, hostile work environments, personal problems and blurred professional boundaries can all contribute to incidences of harassment. Sexual harassment can occur for many reasons, but no reason is acceptable for someone to lose his or her right to safety and security from unwanted harassment.
No occupation is immune from sexual harassment, and while the majority of complaints come from women, a number of complaints are filed by men.
If you’ve been subjected to sexual harassment in your workplace, there’s a good chance that you’ve already suffered severe emotional distress. Sexual harassment in the workplace may include all types of unwanted sexual advances, or it may be visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature:
- Hostile work environment
- Offering employment benefits for sexual favors, or quid pro quo
- Unwanted sexual advances or propositions and threatened retaliation on refusal
- Sexual notes, letters and invitations and “sexting”
- Sharing and displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures or websites
- Inappropriate language and comments, including epithets, slurs and jokes
- Verbal sexual abuse and sexually degrading words
- Leering and sexual gestures
- Stalking
- Threats, intimidation and humiliation
- Gender harassment, harassment based on pregnancy and same-sex harassment
- Sexual assault and other physical conduct
Reporting Sexual Harassment In The Workplace
Despite the already high number of formal harassment complaints that are filed annually, it has been estimated that only 5 to 15 percent of women who are harassed in the workplace formally report it. The reluctance to report harassment can occur for several reasons, including fear of job loss or harm to one’s career, fear of not being taken seriously, the belief that nothing can or will be done about it, or the embarrassment of being harassed in the first place.
Men are even less likely to report harassment, possibly because of the negative stereotypes regarding masculinity and sexual orientation that may arise.
Protect Your Rights And Speak Up
From a legal standpoint, reporting harassment is very important. Some victims wait for weeks, months or years before reporting harassment, and find their claims have fallen on deaf ears. By reporting harassment immediately to your employer, to an employment agency or to a neutral party, such as an attorney, you can protect your rights and ensure that your case will be taken seriously.
The lawyers at JML Law are experienced in helping victims of sexual harassment in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Francisco and throughout California obtain justice and maximum compensation for the harm they have suffered. If you have been a victim of sexual harassment, contact sexual harassment attorneys at JML Law and schedule a free initial consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.
Call us at 818-610-8800 or email us today.
Our attorneys handle sexual harassment cases on a contingency fee basis. If we don’t obtain a favorable settlement or verdict in your case, we don’t get paid.
Get Your Questions Answered.
Contact Our Lawyers.
Every case is unique and needs to be evaluated by our
experienced lawyers. If you have been injured in a work-related accident,
give us a call at 818-610-8800 or send us an email to schedule a free initial consultation. There is no risk to meet with us. We get paid only if we win your claim.
