San Francisco Bay Area Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Sexual harassment occurs in workplaces in California and throughout our country. In a recent survey, 81% of women in the U.S. report having experienced sexual harassment at some point in their lives, and 43% of men have been the victims of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment reduces the quality of life, causes depression and anxiety, hinders job promotions and advances, contributes to the gender wage gap, and generally makes work miserable for the victim. Below are a few examples of workplace sexual harassment–

 Types of Sexual Harassment at Work

• Unwanted Touching: This includes any unwanted physical contact, such as touching, hugging, kissing, groping, and shoulder rubs, etc.
• Sexual Remarks: There is a big difference between a compliment, such as a coworker saying that “You look nice today” and a crude and inappropriate sexual remark, such as saying “you look hot in that skirt.” Whether to your face, in an email, or behind your back, the latter type or remark has no place at work. 
• Inappropriate Jokes: What is funny to one person may be disrespectful, condescending, and exclusionary to another. While one crude joke may not grounds for filing a harassment claim, the presence of habitual sexual or discriminatory jokes may be. 
• Quid Pro Quo: Translation to “this for that,” quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when an employer or coworker asks an employee to do something in exchange for a job, promotion, raise, bonus, or another incentive. Whether an employer asks the employee to go out on a date with them or perform a sexual act in return for a bonus or to be put on a specific project, they have violated the law.
• Genital Flashing: Having a coworker, employer, client, or customers unwantedly expose their genitals is a form of sexual harassment. 
• Sexual Assault: 27% of women have been sexually assaulted, which includes forcible sexual intercourse, oral sex, or other forced sex acts. 

Call a San Francisco Bay Area Sexual Harassment Lawyer Today 

One-quarter of all complaints to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission are based on sexual harassment, according to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. If you believe that you have been treated unfairly at work, contact the San Francisco Bay Area offices of Minnis & Smallets LLP today to schedule a free consultation.