Sexual harassment assumes different forms such as sexual advances, lewd remarks, unwelcome requests for sexual favors, “quid pro quo” demands for sex in exchange for job benefits, unwanted touching, and other physical or verbal harassment. Even offensive remarks about an individual'

What to Do in Case of Workplace Sexual Harassment

If you've experienced sexual harassment in your workplace in Los Angeles or elsewhere in California and are wondering whom to report to, I can help you. I'm David Mallen of Employee Law Group in Los Angeles.

For several years I have helped workplace sexual harassment victims to find justice. I do everything legally possible to ensure the victims are fairly compensated - a move that discourages harassment cases.

Why Workplace Sexual Harassment Victims Fail to Report

Workplace sexual harassment is a major problem, especially for women. Over 75% of women I have interacted with have experienced some form of harassment in their workplace. Among them, only 10% reported. After probing why they didn't report, most cited fear of retaliation and the workplace culture that normalizes sexual harassment, among other reasons.

Fear of Retaliation

It's unfortunate, but fear of retaliation is the leading cause for not reporting sexual harassment. Victims who complain often face hostility and retaliation for reporting their harassers. For example, a lady I spoke to was sexually harassed by a co-worker. As a result, she requested the manager to move her to a different department, and the request was disapproved. A few days later, she was written up for an unimportant reason. This kind of retaliation sends a clear message to the victim that she puts herself in jeopardy if she keeps complaining. And this is just one among many similar cases.

Masculine Culture

Although a lot has been done to improve gender equality, the hard truth is that the masculine culture still prevails in many workplaces. Some men show their masculinity by harassing women coworkers sexually. In such an environment, the victim usually suffers in silence because sexual harassment seems normal, and being the lone complainer is likely to lead to isolation and loneliness at work. Sadly, some women have also adopted this trend and are harassing men sexually to fit in with the “status quo.”

Bystander Effect

Sexual harassment can happen in many different environments and situation, but I mainly focus on the workplace. The harasser can belong to any gender and may even be friendly or closely related to the victim. Furthermore, it could be the Chief Executive Officer, direct or indirect supervisor, a co-worker, or a subordinate.

Below are some forms of sexual harassment:

• Unwelcomed request for sexual favors
• Physical contact and touching without consent
• Sexually humiliating someone
• Being pressured to engage in a sexual relationship
• Sending unwanted sexual messages
• Exposing one performing sexual acts
• Verbal harassment
• Setting sexual-based conditions for employment, promotions, or benefits

How Is Sexual Harassment Different From Sexual Assault?

Generally, sexual harassment is unwelcome physical or verbal sexual attention, while sexual assault refers to forced sexual contact or behavior. It may involve forcefully penetrating the victim's body (rape), attempted rape, groping or rubbing against the victim, and any other unwanted sexual touching. Keep in mind that both harassment and assault are legally unacceptable and should be reported immediately.

What Are the Effects of Workplace Sexual Harassment?

Workplace sexual harassment can have severe consequences for the victim, affecting their physical, mental, and emotional health.

In some cases, workplace harassment leads to job loss. For example, if the manager or someone superior asked for sexual favors from an employee, the victim stands the chance of losing their job if they do not give in. In another example, sexual demands or demeaning comments from a colleague create tension leading to a hostile work environment. If the victim feels they have been pushed too far can no longer take the pressure, they can quit the job and lose their income.

Some employees who experience sexual harassment may develop physical, emotional, and mental health problems. For instance, 90-95% of the victims report suffering from depression, anxiety, headaches, nausea, weight loss, and low self-esteem. Some also experience sexual dysfunction.

Sexual harassment lowers productivity and affects business. Therefore, it is crucial to report the offense to prevent similar cases from occurring.

How Is Sexual Harassment Different From Sexual Assault?

Get Reasonable Compensation

As a victim, you stand a chance to recover a wide range of damages, such as compensation for lost wages and benefits, punitive damages, and emotional distress damages. But you can’t collect any of that you’re owed if you remain silent.

The worst part is that you'll continue to grieve silently. Talking to a qualified professional employment lawyer is the first step towards healing. Also, if you speak out, you could prevent sexual harasser from victimizing others.

Understand Your Rights

Once you call me, I evaluate your case, and I explain your legal rights to ensure that you are well-informed.

Get Legal Guidance

If you are a victim of sexual harassment in your workplace, you must inform the Human Resource Manager or the administrator. But that only applies if the culprit is a fellow employee. If it's the manager, I can guide you on where else to report the matter. Also, we review your case together and give you a clearer idea of what to say to the manager once you approach them.

Protect Yourself

If sexual harassment is not controlled, it could escalate to far more dangerous acts, such as sexual assault. Engaging an employment lawyer helps in the following ways:

• Document the harassment and inform your employer
• Offer insight on how to deal with the offender if they are tenacious
• Protect you from retaliation
• Support you during an investigation; after you've reported the case to your employer, the law requires your employer to investigate the matter. During this time, you need an employment lawyer to ensure that your employer investigates per the law
• Discuss Filing Civil or Criminal Charges; as a skilled employment lawyer, I will inform you of the legal step to take to challenge workplace sexual harassment. I also help you weigh the advantages and disadvantages of suing the management if you’re dissatisfied with their response to your complaint, and also the possibility of filing a police report if the harasser has violated criminal law.

Can You Really Help?

I'm highly committed to representing victims of workplace sexual harassment to ensure they are well-compensated for the damage done to them. I also ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable.

Reach out to me for a free consultation.