Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other harassing conduct of a sexual nature. This conduct can be verbal or physical. It is harassment when submission to or rejection of it affects one’s employment, interferes with work performance or creates a hostile work environment.
What Defines Physical Sexual Harassment?
Physical contact is not required, although unwelcome touching or grabbing of any kind could constitute sexual harassment if it is severe enough (e.g., touching someone’s breasts or buttocks) or repetitive (e.g., repeated instances of neck massages or grabbing someone by the shoulders or waist in a sexual manner).
Other Examples Of Physical Sexual Harassment
- Leering looks
- Offensive or obscene gestures
- Unwelcome touching or grabbing
- Actions characteristic of pursuing
- Sexual abuse
- Sexual assault or rape
- A sexual relationship with a supervisor or manager
- Unwanted sexual advances and quid pro quo harassment (employment is expressly or implied to be conditioned on submission to prohibited sexual acts)
Under California law, the victim may be someone other than the person who is being harassed. If offensive conduct such as a sexual advance, derogatory image or other sexually offensive action occurs in your presence and affects you in any way, you may have a claim for sexual harassment. Contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.
Whom Can I File A Sexual Harassment Claim Against?
Workplace sexual harassment claims may be filed against any harasser, regardless of his or her stature in or outside of the company. A harasser may be a supervisor, a business owner, a co-worker, a contract worker or even someone who does not work at the company. A case may also be filed against the company employing the harasser.
If you have suffered any type of sexual harassment while on the job, you deserve justice and compensation for the wrongs done to you. You should talk with an experienced attorney about your situation.
Case Results
Our attorneys obtained $3,850,000 for a female clerk in a medical supply company who was sexually harassed and experienced retaliation from her employer. We were able to show that the offending supervisor was never appropriately disciplined, despite a previous warning. See more verdicts and settlements we have obtained for our clients.
Contact A California Sexual Harassment Attorney
At Winer, Burritt & Scott, LLP, our personal injury attorneys in California help workers throughout the state address sexual harassment appropriately. We guide clients through the claims process and prepare a thorough case for sexual harassment litigation if necessary.
Call us today at (510) 433-1000 or contact us to schedule a no-obligation consultation.
***We do not represent perpetrators of sexual harassment or those who are accused of sexually harassing behavior.***