Typical standards for keeping a job often include being able to make an established quota, follow directions and arrive at work on time. People legally should not be required to put up with sexual harassment in order to claim or keep a job. However, this type of behavior takes place every day at workplaces across the U.S. If a California resident is a victim of hostile work environment due to workplace sexual harassment, he or she can take legal action.
In a recent case, a lawsuit involving sexual harassment was settled among the parties. This out-of-state case revolves around two city employees. The two workers filed a suit in 2012 complaining of sexual harassment and discrimination perpetrated against them by the city’s manager.
The former employees additionally complained about retaliation and wrongful firing in the wake of the purported harassment. The manager of the city for which they worked said that these charges were dropped; however, the city’s insurance company decided to settle the matter. This city manager also was sued in 2013 for sexual harassment.
An employee is not expected to accept undesired sexual advances at work. It is also not lawful for an employer to make sexual activity a condition of employment or for obtaining a promotion. Individuals who are treated in this manner may rightfully pursue sexual harassment claims against the companies that have allowed this behavior to take place in our state. Based on a given situation, an employee might receive back pay, other financial damages and even legal relief associated with such a claim made in California.
Source: Albuquerque Journal, “Sexual harassment lawsuit settled“, , April 20, 2014