Dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace can be emotionally painful, financially stressful and physically dangerous. No worker should ever have to put up with sexual harassment in the workplace. That is why Jillian Fairchild founded Fairchild Employment Law: to protect workers and hold employers accountable for acts of wrongdoing.
If you are dealing with sexual harassment in your workplace in San Diego, contact us for a free discussion about your situation. We can help you understand your legal rights in the face of unlawful harassment or discrimination against you based on your sex. As your law firm, we will stand by your side to fight for justice and fair financial compensation.
Why Choose Fairchild Employment Law?
- Before starting Fairchild Employment Law, Jillian Fairchild was a defense lawyer for 15 years. She has a deep understanding of employer defense tactics that she can use to secure the best possible case outcome for you.
- Our lawyers will be with you every step of the way. Taking on your employer in a sexual harassment claim can feel overwhelming, but our attorneys will guide you carefully through it with a personalized legal strategy.
- We operate on a contingency fee basis during sexual harassment claims, which means we won’t charge anything for your services unless we win your case, whether it’s a powerful settlement or a decisive courtroom victory.
How a Sexual Harassment Lawyer Can Help
An experienced workplace sexual harassment attorney can make your legal experience simple, effective, rewarding, and as stress-free as possible. You are already going through enough when faced with unlawful acts of sexual harassment or discrimination at work. Hire an attorney to handle the complex legal process for you for peace of mind.
An attorney can protect you with strong advocacy against a powerful employer or corporation in San Diego. Your lawyer can take over the claims process for you, from gathering evidence that proves sexual harassment to negotiating a fair settlement on your behalf – or representing you at trial, if necessary.
What Is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment can refer to any unwelcome sexual advances, requests, remarks, jokes, or conduct that makes your workplace feel like a hostile environment or results in adverse employment action taken against you.
It goes against federal and state laws to harass an individual because of that person’s sex. Harassment can refer to many forms of verbal, physical, and visual misconduct of a sexual nature or based on a person’s sex. It can also refer to quid pro quo, where an employer or supervisor demands sexual favors in exchange for job benefits or sustained employment.
Examples of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace in San Diego
Both men and women can suffer sexual harassment in San Diego workplaces. The harassers can also be male or female. Sexual harassment can happen in any workplace in San Diego, in any industry.
Examples of workplace sexual harassment include:
- Unwelcome sexual advances
- Inappropriate touching
- Sexual assault or attempted assault
- Requests for sexual favors
- Unwanted comments about your appearance
- Sexual jokes, comments, or remarks
- Displaying sexually explicit materials in the workplace
- Sending inappropriate messages or emails
- Retaliation (such as demotion or wrongful termination) for refusing sexual advances
If you feel that you are being sexually harassed or that your workplace environment is hostile, contact our San Diego hostile work environment attorneys without delay for a free discussion about your situation. We will listen to your story, explain your rights, and assess your options for seeking justice.
Your Legal Rights as a Victim of Workplace Sexual Harassment in San Diego
California has some of the strongest anti-harassment laws in the country. You have various protections under state law as a victim of workplace sexual harassment. If you or your attorney proves a case against your employer, you may be entitled to financial compensation for related losses, including backpay, interest, punitive damages as punishment against your employer, and job reinstatement, if applicable.
You may be able to hold one or more parties accountable for a case of workplace sexual harassment in San Diego. Under the rules of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), employers can be held strictly liable (meaning legally and financially responsible) for sexual harassment committed by supervisors or managers in the workplace.
Employers can also be held liable for harassment by coworkers and even non-employees, such as clients, if the employer knew or reasonably should have known about the sexual harassment but did nothing to remedy the problem. In addition, you may be able to bring a claim against the individual who sexually harassed or assaulted you.
What Evidence Should I Collect to Prove Sexual Harassment?
The success of a sexual harassment claim in San Diego depends on the strength of the evidence presented by the plaintiff or injured party. You or your attorney will need to preserve and gather key evidence to establish your claim.
This may include:
- Detailed notes describing each incident of sexual harassment with dates, times, and locations
- Statements and accounts from eyewitnesses, such as coworkers
- Medical records for any care or treatments you received from mental or physical health professionals
- Written communications between you, your harasser, and/or your employer
- Written complaints you submitted regarding sexual harassment
- Photographs or videos of any sexually inappropriate behaviors
- Your employment records and wage statements
- Any evidence of retaliation, if applicable
- Documents from investigating agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
When you hire an attorney from Fairchild Employment Law, we can help you preserve the right types of evidence, including subpoenaing documents from your employer or other parties, to build a strong case.
What Should I Do if I Suspect Sexual Harassment at Work?
If you believe you are a victim of workplace sexual harassment in San Diego, start documenting your experience by taking notes of each incident, keeping relevant messages and emails, and writing down the names of witnesses. Read your workplace’s harassment policy and follow the reporting procedures to report sexual harassment to your employer.
If the company doesn’t do anything about your formal complaint, you can file a complaint with the federal EEOC or the California Civil Rights Department (CRD). Then, contact our attorneys for a discussion of your situation with an experienced employment lawyer. We will help you take the next steps forward.
Contact Fairchild Employment Law for a Free Sexual Harassment Case Review
If sexual harassment at work has created a hostile work environment or resulted in adverse employment action against you, get help from Fairchild Employment Law. We will listen to your story and we will believe you. We can help you determine whether you have a case and explain your rights under California law. Contact us online or call (619) 306-1454 to get in touch with an experienced sexual harassment attorney in San Diego today.