San Diego Harassment Attorney
Every employee in the California labor force has the right to a harassment-free workplace. In fact, harassment and bullying in the workplace is illegal at both California state and federal levels.
Including sexual, physical, verbal, and emotional, harassment takes many forms, and if you feel as if you’re being harassed in the workplace, it is essential to speak up. Doing so can put you in a precarious position, as holding the harassing party responsible for his/her actions generally requires a lawsuit against that person or the workplace.
Fortunately, when filing a harassment suit with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) and/or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), San Diego harassment attorney Jason A. Rodenbo boasts the resources, experience, and strategic know-how to build a robust harassment lawsuit.
Prohibited Behaviors in the Workplace
Harassment can take many forms, but at its core, harassment is the building blocks of a hostile work environment. In creating the hostile work environment, other employees or employers can contribute by starting, continuing, or proliferating the harassment. This harassment can be expressed through intimidation, assault or threats to assault, mocking or ridiculing, insulting or putting someone down, hostile interference with work, displaying offenses pictures or other materials, and so forth. California law prohibits certain behaviors as well, including:
- Physical Harassment — Includes 1.) assault, or 2.) aggressively interfering with movement if it’s directed at you for being a member of a protected class (refer to Verbal Harassment section below for protected classes)
- Visual Harassment — Includes the display of derogatory images or drawings
- Sexual Harassment — Includes unwanted sexual advances on the condition of employment benefits in return for sexual favors
Verbal Harassment
Verbal harassment is significantly more common than physical, visual, or sexual harassment, and in most cases, verbal harassment is the most difficult to prove in a harassment lawsuit. Contrary to popular belief, verbal harassment is subject to legal liability, and California law prohibits it when the verbal harassment falls within a specific protected class, which includes:
- Race
- Religion
- Color
- National origin
- Ancestry
- Physical or mental disability
- Medical conditions
- Marital status
- Gender
- Sexual orientation
- Age
Employers are required by law to provide their employees with a suitable, harassment-free workplace. As such, they must take all reasonable steps to prevent any form of bullying or harassment from occurring.
What to Do if Harassed?
If you’re being harassed at work, there are several steps you can take. However, the first step is to remain calm and not further aggravate the situation; there are both California and federal organizations whose sole job is to protect employees from harassment. In most cases, your workplace should have an employee handbook that outlines specific steps for initiating and investigating a harassment complaint. If there is no handbook, have your harassment attorney help you draft a written letter fully outlining your complaint as well as the specific harassment and/or violence that you are experiencing. Also, it can be helpful to send your documentation to an appropriate organization, such as the DFEH and/or the EEOC.
If you’re being harassed at work, the Law Offices of Jason A. Rodenbo is ready to fully pursue your harassment claim and hold your employers responsible. Never suffer a hostile workplace, and call San Diego attorney Jason A. Rodenbo today at 1-877-241-0081 or 619-265-0081 for a free consultation.