There is No Such Thing as Acceptable Harassment

Employees have the right to feel safe, secure and free from harassment in the workplace. Unfortunately, sexual harassment is a reality that many women and men have to face from co-workers, managers and supervisors, and others within their businesses and places of employment. The victims of sexual harassment and sex discrimination do have the right to pursue legal recourse against their employers and may obtain compensation as a result.

At Rutten Law Group, PC, our Los Angeles attorneys have the knowledge and experience necessary to represent the victims of sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Sexual harassment is never excusable or justified and harassers and their employers must be held accountable for those behaviors. Our lawyers are able to provide the protection necessary for our clients, many of whom feel a great deal of anxiety about the future of their employment and lost wages that are the result of their harassment.

Forms of Sexual Harassment

There are two main forms of sexual harassment in the workplace:

• Quid Pro Quo:
  Quid pro quo is a Latin term meaning "something for something," and in the realm of sexual harassment, is the offer of a promotion or other benefits, or the threat of termination or other detriments, in exchange for sex or sexual favors. Typically, harassers in quid pro quo cases are in supervisory positions. The company may be held responsible if it can be proven that they knew or should have known about the harassment.
• Hostile Work Environments:
  An employee who is subjected to severe and/or persistent sexual behavior in the workplace may bring a claim of sexual harassment due to a hostile work environment. This kind of behavior includes sexual or sexist comments, sexual jokes, propositions, lewd remarks or insults and more. If an employee believes and can reasonably show that the work environment is hostile or abusive, the employer may be held liable for violating sexual harassment laws.

In either case, it is important for an employee who believes that he or she is being harassment to contact an experience attorney as soon as possible. Reporting the harassment to a superior is always a plus when possible, but in some cases, the superior is the one responsible for the harassment and will obviously not be receptive to complaints. Our lawyers are on the side of the victims of sexual harassment and will help you protect your rights if you have been harassed at work.

Contact Rutten Law Group, PC in Southern California

If you have been the victim of sexual harassment at the workplace, you need to speak with an experienced employment law attorney. Contact us at Rutten Law Group, PC and learn about your rights under California employment law. Call us toll free at 888-708-8623.

Our firm offers free initial consultations and takes employment law cases on a contingency basis. Se habla español.