Experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace can leave you reeling, wondering what to do and if taking action will jeopardize your career. At Elite Employment Law, our Orange County sexual harassment lawyer helps provide guided support in understanding what to do immediately after experiencing workplace sexual harassment in California and how to protect your rights.
Gathering Documentation
Begin by creating a thorough, detailed account of your sexual harassment incident. Write down what actually occurred, if there were any witnesses, and the date and time. If the sexual harassment has been a pattern of behavior, make a list of the incidents with as much detail as you can remember.
Save any text messages, emails, or notes on a personal device or somewhere outside of your office or place of work. This helps ensure that a disreputable company or supervisor does not try to cover their tracks by erasing evidence.
Report the Harassment Internally
Once you have this documentation, report the incident based on your company’s harassment policy and file a written complaint with Human Resources. When writing this report, be as specific as possible.
Clearly state that you are experiencing sexual harassment or a hostile work environment. Using this specific language triggers your employer’s legal obligation to conduct an investigation.
Be sure to save a copy of your written complaint and any additional email exchanges. Under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), employers are not allowed to retaliate against you for reporting harassment. If you are terminated or experience negative effects after reporting, you may have the right to file a retaliation case.
Filing a Government Claim
Harassment victims can seek justice by filing a claim with either the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). These systems cross-reference each other, so filing in one agency automatically covers you with both.
Take Action Promptly
Sexual harassment claims should be filed promptly, both to stop the behavior as soon as possible and to protect your legal rights. Typically, you are required to file within 300 days of the incident with the California Civil Rights Department. If it is past this time, you may still be able to file a sexual harassment lawsuit, as long as it is within three years.
Take action as soon as possible to avoid missing your opportunity to get justice. While these deadlines may seem like a long way off, evidence can be lost and memories fade quickly. To build the strongest case possible, speak with a lawyer as soon as you can to begin the process.
Speak with an Orange County Sexual Harassment Lawyer
Working with an Orange County sexual harassment attorney can significantly improve your chances of a fair outcome. At Elite Employment Law, we pursue justice for those who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace and fight to make sure employers are held accountable.
When you hire a sexual harassment lawyer to work on your case, we help you understand the steps to protect your legal rights, including what to do immediately after. Contact us today for a free case consultation to get your questions answered.