Harassment at Work

Harassment in the workplace is not only harmful, but it is illegal under California and federal law when it targets protected characteristics such as race, gender, or religion. It can disrupt your career, damage your well-being, and create a toxic work environment.

What is Harassment at Work

Harassment in employment involves unwelcome conduct tied to protected traits, including:

• Race or color
• Gender or sex
• Age
• Religion
• Disability
• Sexual orientation

This conduct can take various forms:

• Verbal: Offensive jokes, slurs, or threats
• Physical: Unwanted touching or intimidation
• Visual: Displaying offensive images or symbols
• Quid Pro Quo: Job benefits tied to accepting advances
• Hostile Work Environment: Persistent behavior that makes work intolerable

Harassment does not need to be intentional; even small, repeated actions can create a toxic workplace.

Examples of Harassment at Work

Harassment can manifest in many ways, each damaging in its own way. Common examples include:

• Verbal Abuse: Derogatory comments or jokes about your protected traits.
• Physical Acts: Unwanted contact or threatening behavior.
• Exclusion: Being sidelined or excluded due to your identity.
• Retaliation: Facing pushback after reporting harassment.
• Microaggressions: Subtle, offhand remarks that accumulate over time.

Laws Protecting Your Rights at Work

Federal Protections

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act: Applies to employers with 15 or more employees. It prohibits harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin and is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

California Protections

• Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA): Covers employers with 5 or more employees. It includes additional protections for sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, and more, while also prohibiting retaliation for reporting harassment.

California’s FEHA is one of the nation’s most comprehensive anti-harassment laws, providing employees with powerful tools to combat workplace misconduct.

How to Protect Yourself if You Experience Harassment at Work

If you are experiencing harassment, taking prompt action is essential. Follow these steps:

1. Document Everything: Note dates, times, and specifics of each event. Retain emails, texts, Slack or Teams messages, or reviews that reveal bias. It is critical that you not only document everything but also keep a copy of everything for yourself. Save a copy of everything for yourself. If you use a work email, upon termination or constructive discharge, you will be immediately locked out of the system. So, it is important you have a copy of everything saved in real time. Do not wait until it is too late.
2. Identify Witnesses: Ask coworkers if they observed or experienced similar treatment.
3. Report to Your Employer: Submit a written complaint through your company’s HR or complaint process.
4. Get Support: Seek help from friends, family, or a counselor to maintain your well-being.
5. File a Formal Complaint: Contact the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) within 3 years of the incident or the EEOC within 300 days for federal claims.
6. Consult an Attorney: An experienced attorney can guide you through the legal process and help secure your rights.

Time is critical, missing deadlines can weaken your claim.

Act Now to Secure Your Rights

Given the deadlines to bring these claims, it is important to act fast. California law provides powerful protections, and an experienced attorney can help you take action. Staggs Law is committed to protecting employee rights across California.

This is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.