What Laws Protect Employees from Workplace Sexual Harassment in LA? Federal and State Laws Protect LA Employees from Workplace Sexual Harassment. Sexual harassment in LA occurs in many workplaces. Even in the post #MeToo Los Angeles, men and women in positions of power think they have the right to treat others in any way they see fit. Many do not even see their actions as sexual harassment. They feel it is their right to say and do whatever they want. Many employers will downplay their actions or the actions of others. They will provide false information to employees about their rights to try and prevent sexual harassment claims. Unfortunately, many employees believe the words of their employers. They think they have few rights when dealing with sexual harassment. If they are not the direct target or it occurs at the hands of a non-employee, they think they are out of luck. Many times, employers even convince volunteers, interns, and sub-contractors that they do not have any rights under sexual harassment laws. A great sexual harassment attorney in Los Angeles can help you decipher between false information and your true rights under Los Angeles sexual harassment laws.
What Protections Do Federal Laws Give LA Employees Victimized by Sexual Harassment?
Whether in Los Angeles or New York or anywhere else in the United States, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees from sexual harassment. Even a sexual harassment
lawyer in NYC can tell you that Title VII protects employees in companies with 15 or more employees. Under federal law, you do not need to be the target for sexual harassment. Furthermore, you do not need to be a paid employee of the company. The harasser does not need to even work for the company. Title VII clearly explains sexual harassment violations and qualified victims and harassers. Sexual harassment can affect anyone within a workplace. Under the law, unpaid interns, employees, contractors, volunteers, part-time workers, full-time workers, and paid interns are considered employees. Furthermore, your employer must protect you from any form of sexual harassment from anyone doing business with your company. Therefore, even a vendor or client must receive a form of discipline if sexually harassing employees in your workplace. Finally, federal law makes it clear that employees do not need to be the intended target of sexual harassment. If sexual comments, advances, or acts directed to another person in the workplace make you uncomfortable, you have the right to speak up. You have the right to insist the behavior stop because it makes you uncomfortable. Title VII requires victims to file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 300 days of the last incident of sexual harassment. This time limit provides victims under a year to file a claim with the EEOC. The claim allows you to follow through with litigation against your employer. Therefore, you must quickly contact a sexual harassment attorney in Los Angeles to ensure you do not miss your time frame to file your sexual harassment claim in federal court.
What California Laws Prohibit Sexual Harassment in the LA Workplace? California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act protects California (and LA’s) employees from sexual harassment in the workplace. Unlike federal law, your employer only needs at least five employees. The law prohibits all forms of sexual harassment at work. The Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) deals with any employment violations relating to the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). According to California law, employees must file their charge with the DFEH before filing a complaint with the California state court. In October 2019, Governor Newsome signed a bill into law. The bill changed the statute of limitations to file a sexual harassment claim in California. Before this point, the statute of
limitations was one year from the date of the last incident of harassment. However, under the new law, you have a time limit of three years to file your charge of sexual harassment in your LA workplace.
How Can a Qualified Sexual Harassment Attorney in Los Angeles Help Your Case?
The process to file a claim in either federal or state court for sexual harassment is complicated. Each law requires specific time frames and information to file a completed claim. Once you receive permission to file your complaint in federal or state court, you have a different set of rules and time limits to file. A qualified sexual harassment attorney in Los Angeles can help you determine the law best suited for your claim. They can ensure you meet all the court and agency deadlines as required. They can assist you with the task of gathering evidence to prove your case. If you have a claim for sexual harassment in LA, call the dedicated sexual harassment lawyers at the Derek Smith Law Group at (310) 602-6050. We offer a free consultation to listen to your claim and help you determine the next course of action. Derek Smith Law Group, PLLC US Bank Tower, 633 West 5th Street, Suite 3250 Los Angeles, CA 90071 Tel: (310) 602-6050 Phone: (800) 807-2209 Email: derek@dereksmithlaw.com