Legal Protection For Workers

Sexual Harassment Attorneys Representing Victims In Northern California

  • Have you endured unwanted advances from a co-worker or supervisor?
  • Have you been sexually assaulted or subjected to sexual touching?
  • Are you exposed to sexually explicit images or language in the workplace?
  • Have you suffered retaliation for reporting harassment or asking management to address inappropriate behavior?

Employers have a duty to prevent sexual harassment through policies and education. They have a duty to take your complaints seriously and stop the harassment. Employers are accountable if they fail to take immediate and effective action or retaliate against you for speaking up.

If you have suffered workplace sexual harassment in any form, our employee rights attorneys provide compassionate support and aggressive pursuit of your remedies. We have represented women, men and teenage workers across the Central Valley, the Bay Area and Northern California. Contact us today by filling out our contact form for a confidential discussion.

Sexual Harassment · Hostile Work Environment · Gender Discrimination

Bryant Whitten, LLP, is your strong advocate if you have suffered overt harassment or sexually charged behavior that creates a hostile work environment. We have helped clients obtain notable recoveries through out-of-court settlements and at trial. Amanda Whitten and Shelley Bryant are known for taking on major employers and government entities. They have the courtroom experience, litigation strategies and technological savvy to help the average employee stand up to these powerful corporations to demand justice.

Some of our noteable verdicts and settlements include:

  • $700,000 for a Unified School District administrator who was sexually harassed and assaulted by a higher-level administrator.
  • $660,000 total recovery for a restaurant manager who was terminated for reporting to the corporate office about other managers sexually harassing employees and falsifying time cards to cheat employees out of overtime.
  • $600,000 settlement for hospital CFO after being terminated for reporting unlawful billing practices and sexual harassment.

What Is Considered Sexual Harassment?

Many employees do not know where the line is drawn or do not feel comfortable reporting sexual harassment or confronting the abuser. Sexual harassment can be perpetrated by co-workers, a supervisor or manager, or even a customer or client. It can occur in the open or in private. It can be male to female, female to male or same-sex harassment.

Sexual harassment can include:

  • Sexual contact: assault, touching, hugging, kissing
  • Unwelcome advances, unwanted gifts, stalking behavior
  • Quid pro quo threats (job consequences unless you submit)
  • Sexual texts, emails or phone calls, or sexual pictures, jokes and innuendo
  • Suggestive or demeaning comments about your body or clothing
  • Sexual advances, innuendo, or retaliation that occur after you’ve ended a consensual workplace relationship
  • Other behavior that makes you fearful or uncomfortable

Why Choose Bryant Whitten, LLP, For Your Sexual Harassment Case

When selecting a sexual harassment attorney to represent you in a workplace harassment matter, experience can make all the difference. Bryant Whitten, LLP, stands apart for several important reasons:

  • Exclusive employee representation: Unlike many law firms that switch between representing employers and workers, we exclusively advocate for employees and never represent employers.
  • Focused knowledge: Our practice concentrates solely on employment law, allowing our sexual harassment lawyers to develop deep knowledge in this specific area rather than dividing attention across multiple practice areas.
  • True contingency representation: We never collect upfront fees from clients experiencing workplace sexual harassment in Northern California – our firm only receives payment when we secure compensation for you.
  • Proven track record: Our case results speak for themselves, with significant victories against major corporations, including Walmart, Bank of America and Starbucks.
  • Statewide experience: As recognized sexual harassment attorneys throughout California, we understand the nuances of state and federal employment laws.

Bryant Whitten, LLP, in Fresno, California, provides a safe environment to tell your story, learn your rights and explore legal action against your employer. Our trial lawyers are prepared to go all the way to trial if necessary to hold employers accountable for illegal and oppressive activities.

How Our Sexual Harassment Attorneys Can Help You

A sexual harassment attorney from Bryant Whitten, LLP, can provide crucial guidance, whether you are currently experiencing harassment or have already faced retaliation for reporting it:

  • Confidential consultation: We provide a safe space to discuss your situation – all conversations with our firm remain completely confidential and protected by attorney-client privilege.
  • Strategic planning: Our sexual harassment lawyers help explore all available options, whether you wish to remain in your position or pursue legal action.
  • Reporting guidance: We provide guidance on proper procedures for reporting harassment to HR, management, government agencies, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the California Civil Rights Department.
  • Protection from retaliation: For clients who have already reported harassment and faced backlash, we take swift action to address unlawful retaliation.
  • Documentation assistance: We help gather and preserve essential evidence to support your case.
  • Skilled negotiation: Our attorneys work to secure fair settlements without the need for lengthy litigation whenever possible.
  • Courtroom representation: When necessary, we provide aggressive trial advocacy to pursue maximum compensation.

Our sexual harassment attorneys understand the emotional toll of enduring hostile work environments. You do not need to navigate this challenging situation alone.

Your Rights As A Sexual Harassment Victim In Northern California

If you have experienced workplace sexual harassment in Northern California, state and federal laws provide strong protections. Understanding your rights is the first step toward addressing the situation:

  • Right to a harassment-free workplace
  • Right to report
  • Right to investigation
  • Right to remedial action
  • Right to compensation

A critical first step is to contact an experienced sexual harassment attorney who can evaluate your specific situation and recommend the best course of action. At Bryant Whitten, LLP, we guide clients through each step of the process, from reporting to resolution.

When facing harassment, document each incident with dates, times, locations and witnesses. Save any evidence such as inappropriate emails, texts or messages. Report the behavior according to your company policy but recognize that speaking with a sexual harassment lawyer provides crucial protection for your rights.

Evidence Needed To Prove Sexual Harassment Claims

Building a strong sexual harassment case requires thorough investigation and documentation. Our sexual harassment attorneys help clients gather and preserve the following types of evidence:

  • Written documentation: Detailed notes of each harassing incident, and the investigation of it, including dates, times, locations and names of any witnesses.
  • Electronic communications: Emails, text messages, social media posts or other digital evidence showing inappropriate behavior.
  • Witness statements: Accounts from coworkers who observed the harassment or similar behavior toward others.
  • Reporting records: Copies of formal complaints made to supervisors, HR or management.
  • Performance evaluations: Documentation showing job performance before and after the harassment began.
  • Medical records: If you sought treatment for emotional distress, anxiety or other conditions resulting from the harassment.
  • Employment policies: Company handbooks or policies addressing workplace conduct and reporting procedures.

Our sexual harassment lawyers understand that each case is unique, and we work closely with each client to identify and secure the specific evidence needed for their situation.

California Sexual Harassment Laws

California maintains some of the strongest protections against workplace sexual harassment in the nation. Understanding these laws helps victims recognize when their rights have been violated:

  • Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA): Provides broader protections than federal law and applies to employers with five or more employees.
  • Mandatory training: California requires employers with five or more employees to provide sexual harassment prevention training.
  • Extended filing deadlines: Victims have three years to file complaints with the California Civil Rights Department.
  • Personal liability: Individual harassers can be held personally liable for their conduct, not just the employer.
  • Broader definition: California law recognizes a wider range of behaviors constituting harassment than federal standards.

A sexual harassment attorney with a background in California employment law can help ensure your case is handled according to these specific protections. Bryant Whitten, LLP, has deep experience with the unique aspects of California harassment laws and how they can help victims in Northern California.

Our Sexual Harassment Attorneys Are Here To Protect You And To Fight For You

Sexual harassment is illegal. Yet victims often feel trapped or helpless. You worry about your job. You worry you won’t be believed or that you will get fired for speaking out. You don’t want to make waves or get anyone in trouble – you just want it to stop.

You do not have to put up with the abuse. You will not be alone when you decide to speak up. Our sexual harassment lawyers will support you in reporting harassment and filing a claim. We will support you through the process of holding the employer accountable for what you have suffered.

Contact us at our Fresno office 559-216-1265, our San Luis Obispo office 805-328-6206, Sacramento office 916-827-2576, Oakland office 510-901-0774, or our San Francisco office 415-830-8941 to arrange a confidential consultation with one of our sexual harassment attorneys who are committed to justice and equipped to take on big corporations.