In California, sexual harassment is a common offense that employees must deal with. An employee in Los Angeles may face a variety of forms of workplace harassment, ranging from inappropriate jokes and remarks to physical sexual assault. You did the right thing by denunciar acoso laboral to your boss or HR department. Continue to protect your rights by remaining vigilant.
1. Be on the lookout for retaliation and hostility.
Retaliation occurs when an employer punishes an employee simply for exercising his or her legal rights. If an employee reports sexual harassment or discrimination and is fired a few days later, he or she may be subjected to retaliation. Although California is an at-will employment state, which means that an employer can fire an employee for any reason, retaliation is illegal. An employer cannot legally retaliate against a worker by terminating their employment or imposing other penalties for reporting safety, health, legal, or ethical violations.
2. Submit a Complaint to the EEOC
During a discrimination or harassment claim, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is one of your main advocates. It is the federal agency responsible for enforcing laws that protect employees from such violations, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC investigates employee claims and complaints. It has the authority to negotiate a resolution with both the employee and the employer. It can also file a lawsuit for the protection of individuals as well as the public’s interests.
3. Use a Harassment Lawyer to File a Lawsuit
If your company does not properly respond to your complaint or refuses to follow the terms of an EEOC settlement, you should contact a Los Angeles sexual harassment attorney. However, act quickly because you will only have 180 (or 300, depending on state laws) days after filing an internal complaint with your employer to take legal action. A lawsuit may be filed against your employer for harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation. Damages are compensation for losses such as job loss, lost wages, and emotional distress.