The Irvine County sexual harassment lawyers at Melmed Law Group P.C. provide free consultations for victims of sexual harassment in Irvine and throughout Orange County. Our Orange County sexual harassment lawyers fight on a contingency basis which means we don’t charge for our legal services unless we reach a settlement on your behalf.
Schedule a free consultation to see how our sexual harassment attorneys covering Orange County and Irvine can help you.
Irvine Sexual Harassment Lawyers Representing Victims of Workplace Sexual Harassment in Orange County
From bold advances to inappropriate remarks that turn the workplace in a hostile environment, sexual harassment is an offense not to be taken lightly. The Irvine sexual harassment attorneys at our law firm understand that sexual harassment is a traumatic experience and that you may not feel comfortable discussing it. We take a sensitive approach and guide our clients through each step of the legal process answering any questions that they have to ease them during their time of distress.
We don’t just fight for our clients in Irvine and Orange County, we’re here to help them heal and move forward with their life.
We offer a free 15-minute consultation with a sexual harassment lawyer to help you evaluate your options, and determine the best plan of action for you.
Our Orange County Sexual Harassment Lawyers Can Help File a Lawsuit for Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Employers can be directly responsible for the actions of supervisors or other managers who act as their agents if the harassment results in tangible employment action (e.g. termination, denial of promotion). They are also responsible for harassment by supervisors and co-workers if they have knowledge of the harassment and fail to take prompt corrective action.
If you are or were an employee, and want to file a claim for sexual harassment, you should first speak to an Orange County sexual harassment lawyer to understand your options.
What Constitutes as Sexual Harassment in Irvine and Orange County?
You may be a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace if you are subjected to:
- Unwelcome sexual advances;
- Unwelcome requests for sexual favors;
- Unwelcome physical contact of a sexual nature;
- Unwelcome verbal or visual conduct of a sexual nature;
- Quid pro quo sexual harassment. (trading sex or sexual favors in exchange for higher pay or a promotion or some other favorable employment opportunity)
In Orange County, it is unlawful for anyone to harass any person based on their sex. In the workplace, sexual harassment can be in the form of comments, requests, verbal conduct of a sexual nature, gestures, and unwanted physical contact that turns a workplace into a hostile and intimidating environment.
Specific forms of sexual harassment are:
- Sexual favors in exchange for a promotion.
- Unwanted touching including deliberate touching, leaning over, hugging, and patting.
- Unwanted gestures like blowing kisses.
- Telling sexual jokes and asking sexual questions.
- Repeated pressure for dates.
- Whistling at or catcalling someone.
- Stores of a sexual or suggestive nature.
- Purposefully standing close to someone.
Further, a victim may not be a ‘direct’ victim; someone who witnessed sexual harassment, or who is subject to a sexually hostile work environment, may also have actionable claims for sexual harassment under state and federal law.
Our Orange County Sexual Harassment Lawyer Can Help if Your Employer Retaliates After You File a Sexual Harassment Claim
If you report sexual harassment, your employer may retaliate against you, and such retaliation may also be a form of wrongful termination, demotion, reduction in hours of employment, denial of a deserved bonus or raise, relocation to a different department, or exposure to a less favorable condition of employment. This type of retaliation is illegal.
Therefore, it’s highly suggested for anyone experiencing sexual harassment to document the behaviors, gather evidence through copies of internal correspondence, photos, and statements from employees, then speak to an attorney as soon as possible. If one of these adverse consequences occurs to you, our sexual harassment attorney will stand by your side to fight against wrongful termination and employer retaliation in addition to any potential claims for sexual harassment.
Our Irvine Sexual Harassment Attorney Can Help File a Sexual Harassment Claim in Time
There are strict limitations to bringing a sexual harassment claim. To figure out your time limitations, call our office to speak to an attorney to figure out the time limitations. Failing to do so may prevent you from recovering any damages at all.
Free Consultation with an Irvine Sexual Harassment Lawyer
If you or someone you know is or was a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace in Orange County, reach out to us for a free consultation with one of our Irvine sexual harassment lawyers and learn what we can do for you. Our Irvine sexual harassment lawyers also serve clients in Orange County.