Have you faced repeated unwanted sexual advances at work? Have you been forced to listen to offensive sexual innuendo time and time again? Sexual harassment is a serious issue in Northern California and throughout the country. There are two main types of sexual harassment. Both type of sexual harassment are against the law. The easiest type of harassment to recognize is ‘quid-pro-quo’ harassment. This type of harassment occurs when a worker is asked to trade sexual favors for job-related benefits. However, this type of harassment also occurs if a worker is blackmailed to provide sexual favors in order to keep their job.

The second type of sexual harassment is the ‘hostile work environment’. This type of sexual harassment occurs when an employer, manager, supervisor, or co-worker does or says something that makes an individual feel uncomfortable because of his or her sex. Both the victim and the harasser may be of either sex. For example, a woman supervisor may be guilty of sexually harassing a male employee. The conduct that gives rise to the hostile environment must be offensive. Therefore, if two co-workers are engaging in a consensual sexual relationship, this is not sexual harassment. In addition to the behavior being offensive, it must also be severe and pervasive. This means that if you were made to feel uncomfortable by a one-time passing comment a co-worker made, this might not constitute ‘hostile environment’ harassment.

Many people have been retaliated against for complaining about sexual harassment at work. For example, a former animal control officer recently won over $1.1 million in damages. The former worker alleged that she was retaliated against after she complained about the sexual harassment she faced at her job. If this scenario sounds familiar, call the skilled employment lawyers at Law Offices of David H. Greenberg for a free consultation. You can reach us at 1-888-204-1014. You can also visit us at www.discriminationattorney.com to learn more.