Thousand Oaks Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Sexual harassment is a serious violation of employee rights and remains one of the most common forms of workplace misconduct in California. Under state and federal law, employees have the right to work in an environment free from unwelcome sexual conduct, coercion, intimidation, or retaliation. When employers fail to prevent or stop sexual harassment, they can be held legally accountable.

Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual conduct, comments, advances, or behavior that interferes with an employee’s ability to perform their job or conditions employment benefits on sexual compliance. It can be subtle or overt, verbal or physical, and does not require physical contact to be unlawful.

Harassment may be committed by:

• Supervisors or managers
• Coworkers
• Company owners or executives
• Clients, customers, vendors, or other third parties

Employers are legally responsible for addressing harassment once they know, or should know, it is occurring.

Types of Sexual Harassment

Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment

“Quid pro quo” harassment occurs when job benefits are conditioned on sexual conduct or when refusal leads to negative employment consequences. This form of harassment typically involves a supervisor or someone with authority.

Examples include:

• Promotions, raises, or favorable schedules offered in exchange for sexual favors
• Threats of termination, demotion, or discipline after rejecting advances
• Implicit suggestions that cooperation is required to keep a job

Even a single incident of quid pro quo harassment can be enough to violate the law.

Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment

A hostile work environment exists when unwelcome sexual conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, abusive, or offensive workplace.

This may include:

• Repeated sexual comments, jokes, or innuendo
• Inappropriate remarks about appearance or body
• Sexually suggestive emails, texts, or messages
• Unwanted touching, blocking movement, or physical proximity
• Display of sexual images or content at work

Harassment does not need to be constant or explicitly sexual to be unlawful. A pattern of conduct that humiliates, degrades, or intimidates an employee can meet the legal standard.

Common Examples of Workplace Sexual Harassment

• Sexual advances tied to promotions, job security, or workplace benefits
• Unwanted flirting, comments, or questions of a sexual nature
• Inappropriate physical contact, including touching or cornering
• Sexual jokes, gestures, or repeated remarks after being asked to stop
• Harassment by clients or customers that management ignores
• Retaliation after reporting harassment or participating in an investigation

Why this matters: Employees are protected even if the harasser claims they were “joking,” “misunderstood,” or did not intend harm. The focus is on how the conduct was experienced, not how it was excused.

Retaliation for Reporting Sexual Harassment Is Illegal

Many employees hesitate to speak up because they fear retaliation. California law explicitly prohibits retaliation against employees who report harassment, file complaints, request investigations, or support others who do.

Retaliation may include:

• Termination or demotion
• Reduced hours or undesirable schedules
• Sudden negative performance reviews
• Increased scrutiny or discipline
• Exclusion from projects or opportunities

Retaliation is a separate legal violation, even if the employer claims the original harassment complaint was unproven.

Employers have a legal duty to:

• Take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment
• Respond promptly to complaints
• Conduct fair and thorough investigations
• Stop misconduct once identified
• Protect employees from retaliation

Ignoring complaints, minimizing behavior, or blaming the employee often exposes employers to significant legal liability.

How We Help Employees Experiencing Sexual Harassment

At Servin Rodriguez Law, we represent employees who have been harassed, silenced, or punished for speaking up. We understand how difficult it can be to come forward, and we take that burden seriously.

We build strong, evidence‑driven cases by examining patterns of conduct, power dynamics, internal complaints, witness testimony, and employer responses. When companies deny responsibility or attempt to discredit employees, we are prepared to take decisive legal action.

You Do Not Have to Tolerate Sexual Harassment at Work

No one should be forced to endure harassment to keep their job. If you are experiencing sexual harassment, retaliation, or a hostile work environment, a California sexual harassment attorney can help you understand your rights and options.

If your employer crossed the line, accountability is possible, and we are ready to pursue it.