CALIFORNIA SEXUAL HARASSMENT LAWYERS
You Deserve a Workplace Free From Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment at work can leave employees feeling intimidated, embarrassed, powerless, or afraid of losing their jobs. You should not have to tolerate inappropriate conduct, unwanted sexual advances, or retaliation simply to earn a living.
Bartz Law Group, APC represents employees who have experienced sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and other unlawful treatment in the workplace.
Aaron Bartz is an Employment Attorney in California. Call me at 1-800-503-5716 any time, 7 days a week and I will do my best to answer your call the first time, but when I can’t, you can count on me to return your voicemail very quickly!
If you believe you have been sexually harassed at work, contact our legal team to discuss what happened and learn about your potential rights.
Your consultation is confidential.
Contact Bartz Law Group, APC Today
What Is Workplace Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment can take many forms. It does not always involve physical contact, and the person engaging in the harassment may be a supervisor, manager, coworker, executive, customer, vendor, or other person associated with the workplace.
Examples may include:
- Unwanted sexual advances or propositions
- Inappropriate touching or physical contact
- Repeated sexual comments, jokes, or remarks
- Comments about an employee’s body or appearance
- Requests for sexual favors
- Sending sexually explicit texts, emails, photographs, or messages
- Displaying sexually offensive images or materials
- Repeatedly asking an employee for dates after being told no
- Making employment opportunities dependent upon sexual conduct
- Threatening negative consequences for rejecting sexual advances
- Creating an intimidating, offensive, or sexually hostile work environment
- Retaliating against an employee who reports or opposes sexual harassment
You do not necessarily have to be the direct target of the conduct to be affected by an unlawful hostile work environment.
Were You Pressured by a Supervisor or Manager?
Sexual harassment can be especially serious when someone in a position of authority uses their power over an employee.
This may include situations where a supervisor or manager suggests—directly or indirectly—that your job, schedule, promotion, raise, assignments, benefits, or continued employment depend upon accepting sexual advances or engaging in unwanted sexual conduct.
You should not have to choose between your livelihood and protecting yourself from inappropriate behavior.
Did You Report Sexual Harassment and Face Retaliation?
Employees are often afraid to report harassment because they believe their employer will punish them.
Retaliation may include:
- Termination
- Demotion
- Reduced hours
- Unfavorable schedules
- Loss of responsibilities
- Discipline or write-ups
- Being passed over for promotions
- Transfer to a less desirable position
- Increased scrutiny
- Isolation from coworkers
- Threats or intimidation
- Other negative treatment after making a complaint
If your employer took action against you after you reported sexual harassment, participated in an investigation, or opposed inappropriate workplace conduct, you may have additional legal claims.
You Do Not Have to Handle This Alone
Many employees are unsure whether what happened to them legally qualifies as sexual harassment.
You do not need to figure that out by yourself.
If something happened at work that made you uncomfortable, intimidated, threatened, or pressured—and you believe it involved sexual conduct or retaliation—Bartz Law Group, APC can review the circumstances with you.
Even if you are unsure whether you have a case, speaking with an experienced employment attorney can help you better understand your options.
Sexual Harassment May Affect More Than One Employee
In some workplaces, harassment is not limited to one individual.
Multiple employees may have experienced similar conduct involving the same supervisor, manager, executive, workplace, or company.
Attorney Aaron Bartz has extensive experience representing employees in complex employment matters and class actions involving unlawful workplace practices.
Information provided by one employee may sometimes help identify broader patterns of workplace misconduct affecting others.
What Should I Do If I Have Experienced Sexual Harassment?
If possible, preserve information that may help document what occurred.
This may include:
- Text messages
- Emails
- Direct messages
- Photographs or screenshots
- Voicemails
- Written complaints
- HR communications
- Performance reviews
- Disciplinary notices
- Names of witnesses
- Dates and descriptions of incidents
- Employment records
Do not assume you need extensive documentation before speaking with an attorney. Many cases involve conduct that occurred privately or without written evidence.
Speak Confidentially With Bartz Law Group, APC
Bartz Law Group, APC is committed to seeking justice for employees who have been subjected to sexual harassment, retaliation, discrimination, and other unlawful workplace practices.
Aaron Bartz has prosecuted numerous employment and class action matters and has experience challenging employers and large corporations on behalf of workers.
If you experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, we invite you to contact our legal team to discuss your situation.
Your information will be treated confidentially.
Think You Were Sexually Harassed at Work?
Request a Confidential Case Review Today.
You may have rights. You may have options. And you do not have to face your employer alone.
Contact Bartz Law Group, APC Today
Sexual Harassment FAQs
What legally qualifies as workplace sexual harassment in California?
Sexual harassment may include unwanted sexual advances, sexual comments or jokes, inappropriate touching, requests for sexual favors, sexually explicit communications, or conduct that creates an unlawful hostile work environment. Sexual harassment can also involve employment benefits being conditioned on sexual conduct or punishment for rejecting advances. The specific facts and severity of the conduct matter.
Does sexual harassment have to involve physical touching?
No. Workplace sexual harassment can involve verbal, visual, electronic, or other conduct and does not require physical touching. Sexual comments, explicit messages or images, repeated propositions, and other conduct may potentially support a harassment claim depending on the circumstances.
Can a coworker sexually harass me, or does it have to be my supervisor?
Sexual harassment can involve a supervisor, manager, coworker, executive, customer, vendor, or another person connected to the workplace. An employer's potential legal responsibility depends on who engaged in the conduct, what the employer knew, and how the employer responded.
Can sexual harassment happen between people of the same sex?
Yes. California workplace harassment protections are not limited to harassment between people of different sexes. Whether conduct constitutes unlawful harassment depends on the nature of the conduct and the surrounding circumstances.
Do I have to report sexual harassment to HR before speaking with a lawyer?
No. An employee can speak with an employment attorney before making an internal report. Whether, when, and how harassment should be reported internally can affect a case, so employees who are concerned about retaliation or how to document a complaint may benefit from getting legal advice before deciding what to do.
What should I save if I am being sexually harassed at work?
Preserve texts, emails, direct messages, photographs, screenshots, voicemails, written complaints, HR communications, performance reviews, disciplinary notices, witness names, and notes identifying dates and incidents. You do not need to have every piece of evidence before speaking with an attorney.
Can my employer retaliate against me for reporting sexual harassment?
Retaliation for opposing unlawful harassment or participating in certain investigations or complaint processes may violate California law. Retaliation can include termination, demotion, reduced hours, reduced pay, undesirable assignments, unjustified discipline, or other adverse employment actions.
How long do I have to file a workplace sexual harassment complaint in California?
In general, complaints involving employment harassment under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act must be filed with the Civil Rights Department within three years of the alleged unlawful act. Other legal claims or circumstances may involve different deadlines, so waiting can jeopardize potential rights.