Sexual Harassment Lawyer Los Angeles

Sexual harassment in the workplace is illegal, degrading, and emotionally devastating. Every California employee has the right to perform their job duties in an environment free from intimidation, unwanted sexual conduct, and abuse of power. The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani provide compassionate, aggressive legal representation to victims of workplace sexual harassment throughout Los Angeles and California.

If you are experiencing sexual harassment at work, you do not have to suffer in silence or fear losing your job. We are here to protect your rights, pursue full financial recovery, and hold abusers and negligent employers fully accountable.

Types of Workplace Sexual Harassment in California

Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), workplace sexual harassment falls into two primary legal categories:

1. Quid Pro Quo Harassment

Quid pro quo is a Latin phrase meaning “this for that.” This form of harassment occurs when a supervisor, manager, or person in authority explicitly or implicitly demands sexual favors, dates, or sexual acts in exchange for employment benefits — such as a hiring decision, promotion, raise, favorable shift, or to avoid being fired or demoted.

2. Hostile Work Environment Harassment

A hostile work environment occurs when an employee is subjected to unwelcome sexual comments, crude jokes, inappropriate touching, visual displays (such as explicit photos or emails), or offensive behavior that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working atmosphere that interferes with work performance.

Examples of Workplace Sexual Harassment

• Unwanted physical contact, hugging, touching, or cornering.
• Explicit or suggestive comments about your appearance, body, or personal life.
• Displaying sexually explicit posters, images, screen savers, or cartoons.
• Sending sexually suggestive text messages, emails, or notes.
• Promising career advancements in exchange for sexual favors.
• Threatening termination, demotion, or negative reviews if sexual requests are rejected.
• Making offensive jokes, slurs, or sexual gestures.

Employer Responsibility Under California Law

Under California FEHA law:

• Strict Liability for Supervisors: Employers are strictly liable for sexual harassment committed by a supervisor or manager, regardless of whether upper management knew about the harassment.
• Liability for Co-Workers & Non-Employees: Employers can be held liable for harassment by non-supervisory co-workers or third parties (such as clients or vendors) if the employer knew or should have known about the conduct and failed to take immediate, appropriate corrective action.
• Mandatory Prevention Training: California law requires all employers with 5 or more employees to provide interactive sexual harassment prevention training to supervisory and non-supervisory staff.

Steps to Take If You Are Facing Workplace Sexual Harassment

1. Clearly Express Non-Consent: If it is safe to do so, inform the harasser clearly that their behavior is unwelcome and must stop immediately.
2. Document Every Incident: Keep a detailed journal outside of work recording dates, times, exact statements, locations, and any potential witnesses.
3. Report to Management or HR: Report the harassment in writing according to your company’s policy so there is an official paper trail.
4. Preserve Digital Evidence: Save relevant text messages, emails, voicemails, and social media interactions.
5. Contact an Experienced Sexual Harassment Lawyer: Consult with our legal team at the Law Offices of Jacob Emrani before accepting any settlement or signing non-disclosure agreements.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Victims of workplace sexual harassment in California may be entitled to recover:

• Lost Wages & Benefits: Back pay, front pay, bonuses, and lost benefits.
• Emotional Distress Damages: Compensation for anxiety, depression, humiliation, stress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Reinstatement or Promotion: Restoring your job position or status if demoted or fired.
• Punitive Damages: Awarded in cases where employer conduct was particularly malicious, fraudulent, or oppressive.
• Attorney Fees and Costs: Employers found liable under FEHA are required to pay your attorney’s fees.

Contact a Los Angeles Sexual Harassment Attorney Today

You do not have to handle workplace harassment alone. Our firm provides confidential, supportive, and fearless representation. Call the Law Offices of Jacob Emrani today at (888) 952-2952 or request a free case consultation online.