It is against the law to harass an employee or job applicant because of that person’s sex. Sexual harassment in the workplace may include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. The harassment doesn’t have to be of a sexual nature, it can also include offensive remarks about a person’s sex. For example, it is illegal to harass a female employee by making offensive comments about women in general. The victim and the harasser could be of either gender or of the same sex.

It is important to remember that the law does not prohibit offhand comments, teasing or isolated incidents not serious in nature. Harassment is considered against the law only when it is frequent, severe or consistent enough to create a hostile or offensive work environment, or when it leads the employee to be fired or demoted, or when it forces the employee to quit. A harasser may be the victim’s direct supervisor, manager, colleague or even a client or customer.

If you believe your rights as an employee in California have been violated, call us at (858) 365-9722 or contact us online for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation. https://potterhandyemployment.com/contact/