California workers have protection from sexual harassment under The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act; however, workers must initiate the process to activate legal safeguards.
By following a few critical steps, you can ensure you receive robust protections from an array of harassment actions from managers, co-workers and other individuals in the workplace.
Education
According to information from the California Attorney General, knowing your company’s sexual harassment policy can help you in several ways. While not all companies have a clearly defined policy, many do. In place of a specific policy, you can look up general information on sexual harassment from a reputable source.
Knowing more about sexual harassment can help you identify bad behaviors when they occur. This gives you a clearer understanding of what constitutes inappropriate behavior, often a first step in stopping unwelcome or troubling actions from others. If a problem persists, you will need to take action.
Written action
You should always try and document any questionable behavior. This means keeping records of all incidents of harassment and recording times and dates. It also helps to make note of any witnesses who can support your claims. The next step involves notifying your employer about what is happening to you in the workplace.
Your human resources office often will have experience in fielding complaints. You should also file a complaint with a state or federal agency such as the California Civil Rights Department or the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Professional legal help can also help you achieve a favorable resolution to a sexual harassment case.
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