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Recently, a client of ours was sexually harassed at work. This harassment reinforces a dangerous truth - sexual harassment in the workplace is a very real and very serious concern for many people. We were forced to sue her employer and recovered a substantial settlement for her.
What is sexual harassment? Under
California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA),
sexually harassing behavior includes unwanted sexual
advances; verbal conduct; physical conduct, including
assault, impeding or blocking movement or any physical
interference with normal work or movement; or visual
harassment which affects an individual's employment,
unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance
or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work
environment.
True or False?
- Only women can be harassed. False. Courts have ruled that a man can be harassed by a woman.
- A woman can't harass another woman and a man can't harass another man. False. The U.S. Supreme Court has recognized that illegal sexual harassment can occur between people of the same sex.
- Sexual harassment can only occur in a workplace. False. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that teachers, professors, and other individuals with authority in school systems (including universities and colleges) can sexually harass students in violation of the law.
- Only supervisors or those in authority positions can be a harasser. False. A harasser can be a coworker and, in some cases, a third party, such as an agent or client. The key is whether the employer knew or should have known of the harassing behavior and failed to take action.
If you feel you have been or are being sexually harassed at work or if you know of someone who is, please keep our firm in mind. We have handled numerous sexual harassment claims in which we have recovered significant compensation for our clients for their lost wages, emotional distress, and other damages.
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