What Legally Qualifies As Sexual Harassment In Los Angeles?

Sexual harassment is a grave matter that can greatly affect the lives of those who experience it, including their psychological and emotional health, employment stability, and career prospects. The legal description of sexual harassment in Los Angeles is well-established, and those who commit this offense may face severe repercussions.

In Los Angeles, sexual harassment is defined as any undesired sexual behavior that has the potential to create an environment at work that is hostile. This can include actions such as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, physical contact, and sexual gestures, as well as the display of sexually explicit materials. It can also include any behavior that is based on sex or gender and causes hindrances to an individual’s ability to perform their job efficiently.

The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) describes sexual harassment as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when the conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual’s employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.” FEHA also includes other forms of harassment, such as harassment based on race, religion, national origin, age, disability, and sexual orientation.

Sexual harassment can manifest in various forms, including quid pro quo harassment and hostile work environment harassment. Quid pro quo harassment occurs when a supervisor or someone in authority over the victim asks for sexual favors in exchange for job benefits or threatens unfavorable employment outcomes if the victim refuses to comply. Hostile work environment harassment occurs when the conduct of one or more people creates an environment that is intimidating, hostile, or offensive for the victim.

Under the California Labor Code, employers are required to offer a work environment that is free of sexual harassment. Employers can be held responsible for the actions of their workers in cases of sexual harassment. Employers are also required to investigate complaints of sexual harassment swiftly and take the necessary steps to address the situation. Employers who fail to provide a workplace that is free of harassment and secure can face significant legal and financial consequences.

If you suspect that you have experienced sexual harassment, it is essential to document any incidents and report them to your employer or human resources department. You may also choose to speak with a lawyer who specializes in sexual harassment cases to discuss your legal alternatives. Victims of sexual harassment may be entitled to reimbursement for lost earnings, emotional anguish, and other damages.

Common Types Of Sexual Harassment In Los Angeles

• Verbal Harassment

This form of sexual harassment involves uninvited verbal comments with sexual implications, such as suggestive remarks, sexual jokes, or sexual innuendos. When subjected to such comments, the victim may feel uncomfortable, humiliated, and distracted, which can negatively impact their work performance and create a hostile work environment.

• Physical Harassment

Physical harassment is a type of sexual harassment that involves unwelcome physical contact of a sexual nature, such as groping, unwanted touching, hugging, or kissing. This type of behavior can be extremely humiliating and degrading for the victim and can cause significant emotional distress.

• Quid Pro Quo Harassment

Quid pro quo harassment refers to a type of sexual harassment where a person in authority, such as a supervisor, offers job benefits or threatens negative consequences in exchange for sexual favors. This behavior can be very intimidating and coercive for the victim and can create a work environment that is hostile, unsafe, and unwelcoming.

• Hostile Work Environment Harassment

Hostile work environment harassment occurs when a person is subjected to unwelcome sexual advances, comments, or conduct that is severe or frequent enough to create an environment that is hostile, intimidating, or abusive. This type of harassment can cause significant emotional distress for the victim and may interfere with their ability to perform their job effectively.

• Visual Harassment

Visual harassment refers to the display of sexually explicit materials, such as pictures or videos, in the workplace without the consent of others. This type of behavior can be extremely offensive and can create an environment that is hostile, unsafe, and unwelcoming for the victim.

• Retaliatory Harassment

Retaliatory harassment happens when an individual is subjected to harassment or negative treatment as a result of reporting or complaining about sexual harassment. This type of behavior is against the law and can create an environment that is hostile, unsafe, and unwelcoming for the victim.

• Cyber Harassment

Cyber harassment refers to any unwanted sexual behavior that occurs through digital means such as social media, email, or text messaging. This type of harassment can be very invasive and can create an environment that is hostile, unsafe, and unwelcoming for the victim.

• Gender Identity Or Sexual Orientation Harassment

Sexual orientation and gender identity harassment refers to discrimination that is based on a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. This type of harassment can include derogatory statements, offensive comments, or other forms of mistreatment that are directed towards an individual based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.