Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Newport News, VA: A medical supply firm located in Newport News settled a sexual harassment lawsuit for $70,000. The suit was filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and accused the firm of creating a hostile work environment for six women. [ Read More ]

Alton, TX: Officials for the city have emphatically said that they did not know about the allegations of assault in a sexual manor by one time Police Chief Jose Luis Vela. The police chief was arrested for the allegations during 2007. Their declaration of having no knowledge of the situation follows directly on the heels of four employees, both present and prior, filing a sexual harassment lawsuit against both the city and Police Chief Vela. The employees involved in the lawsuit have suggested that officials dismissed their complaints. Also, Vela made threats to fire any employee that said anything about the matter to anybody else. [ Read More ]

New York, NY: Known for her "How ya doin'?" catchphrase, Wendy Williams may not be asking one of her staffers that question when it comes to the young female talent booker's claims that she was sexually harassed while on the job. [ Read More ]

Quid pro quo cases are classified when a supervisor requests sexual favors in return for some tangible job benefit, such as a promotion, or threatens a tangible job loss, such as termination, if the employee does not capitulate to the sexual advances.

Hostile environment cases involve severe and pervasive sexual work environments, including offensive physical touching, vulgar language, pornographic displays, sexual conduct in the workplace, etc. either by managers or co-workers. Hostile environment sexual harassment often affects large groups of employees. Even employees who are not themselves targeted for sexual touching or advances can assert hostile work environment claims based on their being forced to work in an environment that, as a whole, is offensive to them and to others.

Sexual favoritism is a form of sexual harassment and discrimination that is illegal in California. It occurs when a manager or supervisor is in a sexual relationship with another employee and the manager/supervisor shows favoritism toward that employee such as by promoting them ahead of other, more qualified, candidates. This sends a signal that the way to advance is by having sex with the boss.

If you have missed out on advancement or another benefit because it went to someone who was having a sexual relationship with the boss, while you were more qualified, better educated, or more experienced, you may have a claim for sexual favoritism.

Sexual harassment in any State is unwelcome conduct that can occur in a variety of circumstances, the harasser can be the victim's supervisor, a supervisor in another department, a co-worker, a non-employee or a client. The victim does not have to be the opposite sex and the victim does not have to be the person harassed but simply one person or one of multiple persons affected by the offensive conduct.

If you have been the victim of sexual harassment or a hostile work environment, particularly where there are multiple victims and/or witnesses and your complaints to the company have fallen on deaf ears, you may have a pattern or practice hostile work environment claim.

Previously, only someone who was a direct victim of sexual harassment could sue. However, the California Supreme Court recently decided that when sexual favoritism is frequent and obvious it may create a "hostile workplace" and be grounds for a lawsuit.