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Sexual Harassment Lawyer in Lancaster

Discrimination in the workplace is unacceptable. And one of the most common and frightening forms of illegal workplace discrimination is sexual harassment. We hope you have not been exposed to this type of misconduct at work, but if you have, a Lancaster sexual harassment lawyer from the Law Office of John Dalton can help you. We aggressively fight against employers that abuse their power and neglect their responsibilities to create safe working environments. Contact us today.

Key Takeaways

  • Sexual harassment can take the form of quid pro quo harassment or a hostile work environment, both of which are illegal under California law.
  • Employers may be held liable for workplace harassment when they fail to prevent, investigate, or correct unlawful conduct.
  • Employees generally must file a complaint with the EEOC or California Civil Rights Department before pursuing a sexual harassment lawsuit.
  • Consulting an experienced sexual harassment attorney early can help protect your rights, preserve important evidence, and avoid mistakes that could weaken your claim.

What Is Sexual Harassment in Lancaster, CA? 

Employers and individuals in your work environment commit sexual harassment when they engage in sex-based activities that are unwelcome. There are two categories of this unwelcome and illegal behavior: 

  • Quid pro quo – when your employer makes you endure unwelcome, sex-based behavior in exchange for continued work benefits or new work benefits; and 
  • Hostile work environment – when the harasser’s unwelcome, sex-based behavior is so serious or pervasive that a reasonable person would call your work environment hostile. 

Either form of sexual harassment can be incredibly damaging in many ways. Sexual harassment can devastate a victim’s physical health, mental health, financial well-being, and professional success. If you have experienced this type of misconduct in the workplace, a knowledgeable Lancaster sexual harassment lawyer can help you understand your legal rights, pursue appropriate remedies, and seek compensation for the harm you have suffered. Contact us today to discuss your case.

Harassment at Work Should Never Be Ignored

Whether you are facing quid pro quo harassment or a hostile work environment, you have legal rights under California law. Contact the Law Office of John Dalton today to discuss your situation and learn how we can help protect your future. Contact Us Today

Examples of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace in Lancaster, CA

While there are two categories of sexual harassment, there are countless ways that this unlawful behavior crops up in offices and job sites. Types of sexual harassment many employees see at work include: 

  • Jokes about someone’s sex;
  • Touching without consent; 
  • Requests for sexual favors in exchange for work benefits;
  • Insults based on someone’s sex;
  • Displays of graphic, sex-based images;
  • Comments about someone’s body parts or physical appearance;
  • Repeated and unwanted requests for dates;
  • Exclusion of employees based on sex;
  • Comments containing offensive generalizations about sex or gender;
  • Invasions of others’ personal space; 
  • Graphic physical gestures;
  • Name-calling based on sex; 
  • Sexually explicit conversations or questioning; and
  • Exposures of intimate body parts. 

This list does not include every possible type of sexual harassment, but it should show you that many sex-based workplace behaviors are unlawful. 

If you feel uncomfortable about any sex-based behavior occurring at work, speak to an experienced Lancaster sexual harassment lawyer about your rights. In many cases, a lawyer can help you file a complaint or pursue a lawsuit to stop the harassment, protect your workplace rights, and seek compensation for the losses and harm you have suffered.

Meet Our Lancaster Sexual Harassment Lawyer, John W. Dalton

Lancaster Sexual Harassment Attorney

John W. Dalton earned his B.A. in Economics with Honors from the University of California, San Diego in 1985. Before becoming an attorney, he served with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1988 to 1994, including an overseas assignment in Paris, France (1990–1993).

After graduating from California Western School of Law in 1995 through an accelerated two-year program, John passed the California Bar Exam and was admitted to practice in 1996. He founded John W. Dalton Law Offices in 1998 and has devoted his career to representing employees in workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, and employment law cases.

Over more than 25 years of practice, John has secured some of California’s most significant employment law verdicts, including a $30 million verdict with over $8 million in attorney’s fees in Gober v. Ralphs Grocery Company. He also obtained a $6.85 million verdict in Marcisz v. Ultrastar Cinemas and a $1.25 million verdict in Moran v. Shah Management.

Having litigated hundreds of employment discrimination cases and recovered tens of millions of dollars through verdicts and settlements, John is committed to standing up for employees and holding powerful employers accountable.

Take the First Step Toward Justice Today

When Is My Employer Responsible for Sexual Harassment at Work in Lancaster, CA? 

Your employer is legally responsible for a supervisor’s harassment that results in an adverse employment action (e.g., job termination or demotion). Your employer is also liable for hostile work environment harassment that comes from an employee or a non-employee if:

  • Your employer had control over the harasser; 
  • Your employer knew or should have known about the harassment;
  • You did not unreasonably fail to use your employer’s procedures to prevent or correct the harassment; and 
  • Your employer failed to properly handle the harassment.

Regardless of your situation, do not be quick to assume that your case is not viable. If you file a harassment complaint, the government will review your entire case record before determining liability. An experienced Lancaster sexual harassment lawyer can evaluate the facts of your case, explain your legal options, and help you present the strongest possible claim for relief and compensation.

Taking Legal Action Against Sexual Harassment in Lancaster, CA

Navigating sexual harassment lawsuits and complaints can be daunting, but it’s necessary to hold your harasser and employer accountable. There are several steps you should take to file your complaint, and we can walk you through them. 

Step One: Tell Your Harasser that Their Actions Are Not Welcome

To maintain a sexual harassment complaint or lawsuit, you must prove that your harasser’s actions were unwelcome. This usually means that you need to tell your harasser to stop their behavior. It is even more useful if you can give your harasser written notice that they must stop.

Sometimes, the circumstances of your work or the harassment can make confronting your harasser nearly impossible. If it is too difficult to challenge your harasser, submit a written complaint to a supervisor or human resources.

Step Two: Collect Evidence

You need to start collecting any evidence you have of sexual harassment as soon as it occurs. Evidence can include:

  • Correspondence,
  • Witness information,
  • Detailed notes of each incident of harassment,
  • Pictures, 
  • Personnel records,
  • Copies of complaints, 
  • Disciplinary records,
  • Commendations, and
  • Employer policies.

Our sexual harassment attorney in Lancaster should be able to gather any relevant and necessary evidence you are unable to access on your own. 

Step Three: File a Formal Harassment Complaint at Work

To hold your employer accountable for many kinds of harassment, you have to prove that your employer should have known about it and that you didn’t unreasonably fail to use employer procedures to prevent or correct the harassment. Immediately after enduring and rejecting workplace harassment, research your employer’s complaint procedures and use them. And if your employer does not have a complaint procedure, send a written complaint to your supervisor or human resources about the harassment.

Need Help Reporting Workplace Harassment?

The way you report harassment can affect your rights and legal options. Speak with John Dalton before taking action to help protect your claim and your future. Contact Us Today

Step Four: File a Government Complaint or Lawsuit

To take legal action against your employer or harasser, you need to file a complaint with the state or federal government. You file federal complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). And you file state complaints with California’s Civil Rights Division (CRD). You must file an EEOC or CRD complaint and receive a Notice of Right to Sue/Right-to-Sue Notice before you can initiate a civil lawsuit. 

Usually, you have 180 days to file an EEOC complaint and three years to file a CRD complaint. And your employer must have at least 15 employees if you want to file an EEOC complaint. 

Our Lancaster Sexual Harassment Attorney Can Fight for You

You do not have to fight sexual harassment alone. At the Law Office of John Dalton, Lancaster sexual harassment attorney John Dalton is dedicated to empowering and protecting mistreated employees. John fights aggressively against workplace misconduct, and he has recovered millions for victims of harassment. If you need help, contact our firm today.

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