Sexual Harassment Lawyer
Fight Back Against Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment can occur to women and men in any industry. If you have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, you know firsthand how detrimental it can be to your career and personal well-being.
At Shimoda & Rodriguez Law, PC, we help workers throughout the Sacramento metro, Northern California, and the Central Valley put an end to harassment and recover compensation for their damages. In more than 20 years of employment law practice, we have recovered more than $50 million for our clients. When you contact us for an initial consultation, we can help you, too.
What are Some Examples of Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment can take many forms. The California Civil Rights Department defines sexual harassment as unwanted sexual advances or visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Prohibited sexual harassment includes:
- Visual conduct: Leering, making sexual gestures, displaying of sexually suggestive objects or pictures, cartoons or posters.
- Verbal conduct: Making or using derogatory comments, epithets, slurs, and jokes. Verbal abuse of a sexual nature, graphic verbal commentaries about an individual’s body, and sexually degrading words used to describe an individual.
- Physical conduct: Touching, assault, impeding, or blocking movements.
- Offering employment benefits in exchange for sexual favors.
- Making or threatening retaliatory action after receiving a negative response to sexual advances.
You may have an actionable case if you experienced one or more of these activities at your job. We will act swiftly to put an end to this discriminatory behavior.
Hold your employer accountable for failing to respond to workplace sexual harassment. Call 833-201-0213 for a phone consultation today.
We Can Help Prevent Retaliation
Many people who experience sexual harassment and other workplace discrimination are afraid to come forward. They fear they will face wrongful termination or retaliation from their employers for reporting their experience.
When you work with Shimoda & Rodriguez Law, PC, we help ensure you do not experience these negative consequences. Our attorneys know how to protect your rights so that if you step forward to put an end to harassment, you will not risk your hard-earned career.
How We Approach Sexual Harassment Cases
The following items will be helpful in proving your lost wage claims, although they are not necessarily required to be successful in court:
- Initial Consultation: Our experienced sexual harassment attorneys will speak with you and gather the specifics about your case.
- Review & Plan: Once we have the specifics of your case, our team can begin building a legal strategy to achieve your best outcome.
- Representation & Resolution: While our goal is often to settle sexual harassment claims through mediation, there are times when the case goes to court. Should this happen, our attorneys will aggressively represent you and pursue an outcome in your best interest.
I highly recommend Shimoda & Rodriguez Law, PC. They have a very impressive reputation and came highly recommended. I sought the advice of Mr. Shimoda and found him to be extremely knowledgeable and professional while also understanding, caring, and patient. He answered all of my questions and gave me the information I needed to feel more secure in my situation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sexual Harassment In and Outside the Workplace
How Do I Report Workplace Sexual Harassment In California?
You should first file a complaint with your employer’s human resources department. Your employer must stop sexual harassment and any form of workplace harassment to prevent a hostile working environment.
If possible, review your employee handbook to determine whom you should notify about sexual conduct or sexual comments.
Employees who feel they are being subjected to workplace sexual harassment, retaliation, or both should:
- Document the occurrences
- Continue to report to work if possible
- Identify witness(es), if applicable
Make sure your complaint is in writing for the company’s records. Written documentation will also help your sexual harassment lawsuit.
Your employer should conduct an immediate investigation into your complaint and is supposed to take appropriate action to resolve any prohibited behavior. This may include interviewing you and any witnesses.
If your employer does not take action to improve your workplace environment or you face retaliation, such as an adverse employment decision, because of your complaint, contact Shimoda & Rodriguez Law, PC.
How Likely is it that My Sexual Harassment Claim Will Be Successful in Court?
It is important to remember that up to 95 percent of victims do not file a formal legal complaint or lawsuit, making it hard to determine how likely a claim will be successful, with so many individuals not seeking a fair resolution.
In the last 18 years of employment law practice, Shimoda & Rodriguez Law, PC has recovered more than $50 million for our clients. When you contact us for an initial consultation, we can help you, too.
What California Laws Protect Employees from Workplace Sexual Harassment?
The Civil Rights Department (CRD) is the state agency charged with enforcing California’s civil rights laws, including the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) which builds upon Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964.
State law mandates that employers with five or more employees provide sexual harassment prevention training in a classroom setting, through E-learning, or a live webinar.
According to the CRD, training must explain the following:
- The definition of sexual harassment under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964
- The statutes and case law prohibiting and preventing sexual harassment
- The types of conduct that can be sexual harassment
- The remedies available for victims of sexual harassment
- Strategies to prevent sexual harassment
- Supervisors’ obligation to report harassment.
- Practical examples of harassment
- The limited confidentiality of the complaint process
- Resources for victims of sexual harassment, including to whom they should report it
- How employers must correct harassing behavior
- What to do if a supervisor is personally accused of harassment
- The elements of an effective anti-harassment policy and how to use it
- “Abusive conduct” under Government Code section 12950.1, subdivision (g)(2).
- Discuss harassment based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, which shall include practical examples inclusive of harassment based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation
If your employer failed to provide you or your coworkers with workplace sexual harassment training and you experienced harassment, contact Shimoda & Rodriguez Law, PC.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation with Our Sexual Harassment Attorneys
The first step to ending your sexual harassment is to contact the lawyers of Shimoda & Rodriguez Law, PC for a phone consultation. We can explain your rights and your options. To reach us, call 833-201-0213 or send our firm an email. We will promptly return all email contacts with a phone call.