Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates state and federal law. In the workplace, sexual harassment can take three forms: quid pro quo, hostile work environment and sexual favoritism harassment.
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.
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.
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.
Harassment Articles
Medical Supply Firm Settles Sexual Harassment Suit
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.
Officials in the Dark Over Allegations of Abuse by the Police Chief
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.
Don’t Ask Wendy Williams, “How Ya Doin’?”
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.
Employee for Non-profit Files $2 Million Sexual Harassment Suit
A woman filed a $2 million sexual harassment suit on March 20 against her employer that alleges she was touched inappropriately by her supervisor and that he made her work life miserable for her after she had accused him of the action.
San Mateo Attorney Responds to Sexual-Harassment Lawsuit
A San Mateo County social worker filed a sexual harassment and wrongful termination suit against San Mateo County on November 21, 2007 for what county attorneys allege to be baseless claims. The county stated that she should not be awarded any monetary compensation due to lack of evidence that the treatment she received was sexual harassment.
Harassment on the Job: It's no Longer Just the Women Complaining
Harassment in the workplace has been around for as long as the work environment itself, and unfortunately will probably never go away, so long as there are those who find some particular joy in causing someone else - usually a subordinate - to feel uncomfortable, or worse.
Harrasment: A Form of Discrimination
Harassment is a form of discrimination. It is defined as any form of unsolicited, deliberately offensive behavior that has been requested to be stopped. This behavior can be physically violent or psychologically damaging. If someone says or does something to make you feel uncomfortable, or if you are put at risk in any way, that constitutes harassment.
Sexual Harassment in the News
JAN-16-08: A federal jury awarded a former deputy $325,000 in her
sexual harassment lawsuit against her former sheriff. [
INRICH: HARASSMENT]
JAN-15-08: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has settled a
sexual harassment lawsuit alleging that the women's soccer coach harassed and discriminated against one of the team's players. The plaintiff will receive $385,000. [
INSIDE HIGHER ED: SEXUAL HARASSMENT]
JAN-8-08: A former employee at a UW-Madison power plant has filed a federal
sexual harassment lawsuit alleging she was retaliated against when she rejected advances from her boss. [
WCCO: HARASSMENT]
DEC-28-07: A New Jersey town will pay $800,000 to settle a
sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a female police officer. [
NEWSDAY: HARASSMENT]
JAN-01-08: A former Sheriff's Department legal clerk has filed a lawsuit against Stanislaus County alleging she was
sexually harassed and suffered discrimination while on the job. [
BEE: SEXUAL HARASSMENT]
DEC-31-07: Two women filed a
sexual harassment lawsuit against a doctor they worked for. They plaintiffs allege the doctor touched them inappropriately and made sexually offensive comments toward them. [
RECORD: HARASSMENT]
DEC-28-07: Ohio University will pay $225,000 to settle allegations that the university was slow to act when the student complained about
sexual harassment against one of its teachers. [
TRIBUNE: SEXUAL HARASSMENT]
DEC-26-07: Jon Peters, producer of Superman Returns is being sued for
sexual harassment by a former employee. The employee alleges she was improperly touched and offered money for sex. [
CBS: HARASSMENT]
DEC-22-07: Two former police officers filed a
sexual harassment lawsuit against the city of Concord. They allege they were subjected to sexually explicit conversations, passed over for assignments and punished in ways male officers were not punished. [
NEWS: HARASSMENT]
DEC-21-07: A car dealership is being sued for
sexual harassment by two women who quit their jobs after being subjected to crude comments and nude photographs in the office. [
NEWS: HARASSMENT]
DEC-18-07: A trial has begun in a lawsuit filed by a former firefighter who said he suffered
harassment at work and was forced to retire. The alleged harassment involved his tires being slashed and derogatory comments. [
KSBY: HARASSMENT]
DEC-18-07: A credit union will pay $250,000 to settle a discrimination lawsuit filed by two women who alleged they were subjected to
sexual harassment by a former manager. [
STAR: HARASSMENT]
Sexual Harassment Legal Help
If you have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, please click the link below to send your complaint to an attorney who will review your claim at no cost or obligation.
