Sexual Harassment in Los Angeles Workplaces
Understanding the Problem
Sexual harassment remains a serious problem in workplaces across Los Angeles, affecting employees in nearly every industry, from entertainment and media to tech, healthcare, hospitality, education, and retail. Despite legal protections, many workers continue to face inappropriate behavior, abuse of power, or hostile work environments that make it difficult to perform their jobs or feel safe at work.
Under California law, sexual harassment is prohibited by the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which protects employees, applicants, and even some independent contractors. Harassment is considered unlawful when it is severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile, intimidating, or abusive work environment, or when it results in adverse employment actions like demotion, discipline, or termination.
Workplace sexual harassment often goes unreported due to fear of retaliation, job loss, or not being believed. However, California law is designed to protect victims, and employers are legally required to prevent, investigate, and correct any harassment that occurs on the job.
Recognizing the Signs
Sexual harassment in the workplace can take many forms, some obvious and others more subtle. It can be verbal, such as sexually suggestive jokes, comments about appearance, or explicit conversations. It can be physical, including unwanted touching, hugging, or brushing up against someone. It can also be non-physical, such as persistent staring, inappropriate text messages, or sharing explicit content in work communications.
Harassment may come from supervisors, coworkers, clients, or even third-party vendors. A power imbalance often exists, particularly in cases involving supervisors or managers which can make the harassment feel coercive or difficult to challenge. In quid pro quo harassment, promotions, job benefits, or job security may be offered or threatened in exchange for sexual favors. In hostile work environment cases, the behavior creates ongoing discomfort that interferes with your ability to do your job.
It’s also important to recognize indirect harassment, such as retaliation against an employee who refuses advances, speaks up, or supports another person who files a complaint. Retaliation is illegal, and employees are protected when they come forward.
Legal Protections and What You Can Do
In California, sexual harassment is taken seriously, and victims have multiple legal pathways to hold employers accountable. Whether you are a full-time employee, part-time worker, or independent contractor, you may have the right to file a claim and pursue financial compensation for damages, including emotional distress and lost wages.
Victims should begin by documenting each incident in detail, dates, times, what was said or done, who was involved, and any witnesses. This documentation can be key in proving a pattern of harassment. Employees can file a complaint with their Human Resources department, but they also have the right to bypass internal processes and file a claim with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Before pursuing a lawsuit, employees must obtain a Right to Sue notice. A Los Angeles sexual harassment attorney can help guide you through this process, ensure deadlines are met, and advise whether a settlement or trial is the best path forward.
Get Legal Help in Los Angeles
If you’ve been sexually harassed at work in Los Angeles, you do not have to face it alone. Miracle Mile Law Group has extensive experience representing employees in sexual harassment claims across LA County. Our attorneys understand the unique challenges that workers face and will fight to ensure you are protected and compensated for the harm you’ve experienced.
We offer free consultations, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. Contact us today to discuss your legal options and take the first step toward justice.