Workplace harassment destroys careers. It damages trust. Workers should never endure hostile environments. If you have been harassed at work, you may already feel the toll it takes on your mental health, your livelihood, and your sense of safety.
Federal law, California law, and local protections prohibit harassment based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or other protected categories. Yet harassment continues to occur in workplaces across Los Angeles and throughout California.
When harassment strikes, you need an employment lawyer. Legal representation becomes necessary, not optional. We have represented employees across Los Angeles and Pasadena who thought they had to tolerate harassment to keep their job.
Workplace harassment violates the law. You have rights under state and federal protections. The right attorney will help you understand those rights, take steps to protect you, and pursue justice against the individuals and employers responsible.
Understanding Harassment in the Workplace
Harassment is not limited to one type of misconduct. It may include:
- Verbal harassment
- Physical intimidation
- Unwanted advances
- Offensive jokes or slurs
- Conduct that creates a hostile work environment
When harassment makes your workplace intolerable or interferes with your ability to do your job, you may have a harassment case under California law and federal law.
California Protections
California employment protections lead the nation. The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits harassment and discrimination based on:
- Race
- Gender
- Age
- Disability
- Sexual orientation
- Other protected categories
Federal Protections and Enforcement in Workplace Harassment Cases
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the cornerstone of federal protection against workplace harassment and discrimination. This statute prohibits employers from allowing harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Courts consistently rule on hostile work environments. Harassment violates Title VII. Lost wages or termination are not required. What matters is whether the conduct is severe or pervasive enough to alter employment conditions.
How Enforcement Works Under State and Federal Law
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces federal law by investigating complaints, issuing right-to-sue letters, and litigating cases in federal court. Workers often miss this fact. EEOC filing precedes Title VII court claims. That filing deadline is short: 180 days in many states, but extended to 300 days in California because the state has its own fair employment enforcement system.
California law prohibits harassment under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which provides broader protections than federal law. The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) enforces FEHA. California law provides broader protection than federal law. Following the 2024 Bailey v. San Francisco District Attorney’s Office decision, even a single racial epithet can constitute actionable harassment under FEHA when viewed under the totality of circumstances. This is one reason why experienced California employment attorneys often prefer filing under state law.
Why Jurisdictional Strategy Matters in an Employment Case
Choosing where to file a harassment claim can shape the outcome of your case. An attorney can help you understand whether federal court or state court offers a stronger path, depending on the facts. Federal law covers employers with 15+ employees. California law applies to employers with five workers. That difference alone has opened the courthouse doors for countless employees who would otherwise be excluded.
When workplace harassment in California violates both FEHA and Title VII, we may pursue claims under both systems.
Types of Workplace Harassment Under California and Federal Law
Harassment takes many forms, and each may have serious legal consequences. We see cases in Los Angeles that involve:
- Sexual harassment: Unwanted sexual advances, comments, or physical contact. This includes sexual harassment at work when a supervisor conditions employment benefits on sexual favors, or when a co-worker’s conduct creates a hostile work environment.
- Discrimination and harassment based on identity: Harassment based on race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. This harassment makes employees feel unsafe, unwelcome, and unable to work.
- Retaliatory harassment: When reporting harassment leads to further mistreatment, discipline, or termination. Retaliation is itself unlawful under both California labor law and federal law.
Each type of harassment may trigger liability for harassment under state and federal law. Employers cannot create a hostile work environment, nor can they ignore complaints of harassment and discrimination.
Why an Employment Lawyer Matters in Harassment Cases
You may wonder why an attorney is necessary if harassment laws are clear. The reality is that harassment cases require strategy, legal knowledge, and persistence. Employers often deny responsibility or blame the victim. They may argue the harassment was not “severe” or “pervasive” enough to be unlawful. Without an employment attorney, you risk being silenced by those with more resources.
A workplace harassment lawyer guides you through every step:
- Documenting harassment: Knowing what evidence matters is critical. An attorney can help you keep records that support your harassment claim.
- Reporting harassment: California law requires internal reporting in many cases before pursuing legal action. A lawyer ensures your complaint is structured correctly and filed with the right agency, whether the EEOC or DFEH.
- Negotiating with employers: Employers often prefer settlements to public trials. A harassment attorney negotiates from a position of strength, ensuring your rights are fully protected.
- Filing lawsuits when necessary: If your employer refuses to take responsibility, an attorney can file a harassment case in state or federal court and hold them accountable.
This process is not just about legal strategy. It is about empowerment. When you work with a Los Angeles workplace harassment attorney, you take back control of your employment relationship.
The Role of California Law in Protecting Employees
California labor and employment law is expansive. Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), an employer can be liable for unlawful harassment even for a single incident of offensive behavior. This distinguishes California from federal law, where courts often impose higher thresholds.
California employment law attorneys rely on these distinctions to strengthen your case. For instance, California harassment laws recognize that verbal harassment can be just as damaging as physical intimidation. FEHAalso prohibits harassment based on medical conditions, marital status, and gender identity.
Employers in California are legally required to take steps to prevent harassment from occurring. This includes training supervisors, enforcing anti-harassment policies, and responding immediately to complaints. When they fail, they may be liable for harassment.
Sexual Harassment and Workplace Power Imbalances
Few situations expose the imbalance of power in the workplace more clearly than sexual harassment. Victims of sexual harassment often fear retaliation, job loss, or career damage if they come forward. Yet sexual harassment in the workplace remains one of the most common claims filed with the EEOC and California CRD.
Victims of sexual harassment at work experience emotional distress, career setbacks, and financial harm. An employment lawyer provides more than legal guidance. They provide a shield against retaliation and a voice that cannot be ignored.
We represent victims of sexual harassment by investigating claims, securing witness statements, gathering digital evidence, and pursuing claims aggressively. When necessary, we litigate against large employers who thought they could silence employees.
Reporting Workplace Harassment
Reporting workplace harassment requires courage, but also precision. Employers will sometimes argue that employees never properly complained. A workplace harassment attorney ensures your report is thorough, filed with the correct agencies, and legally protected.
You can report harassment internally to HR or management. If that fails, you can file charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or California Civil Rights Department. Each agency has filing deadlines. Missing these deadlines can end your case before it begins. An employment lawyer ensures your claims are preserved.
When you are harassed at work, the law does not expect you to know every deadline, statute, or filing requirement. That is our role as attorneys in Los Angeles, to handle your harassment case so you can focus on your well-being.
Why Los Angeles Workers Need Dedicated Representation
Los Angeles is a diverse city with countless industries, from entertainment to tech. But harassment in California workplaces continues, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Employees often underestimate how aggressively employers defend against harassment and discrimination claims.
Working with a Los Angeles workplace harassment lawyer ensures that you are not alone against corporate attorneys. We know the tactics employers use to minimize harassment claims. We respond by holding them accountable under California law, federal law, and labor law protections.
Our Los Angeles employment attorneys have represented workers in industries ranging from healthcare to construction. Each harassment case is unique, but the goal is always the same: restoring dignity, recovering damages, and sending a message that unlawful harassment will not be tolerated.
Consultation with a Workplace Harassment Attorney
The first step is often the hardest. Reaching out for a free consultation with a harassment lawyer in Los Angeles allows you to understand your options without risk. During a consultation, we review your story, assess whether your harassment case qualifies under California law or federal law, and explain what the legal process will look like.
A consultation with an employment law firm is not just about your case. It is about your future. Harassment in California workplaces can derail careers, cause health problems, and create financial instability. By pursuing a harassment claim an employee may recover back pay, emotional distress damages, and in some cases, punitive damages.
If you have been harassed at work, do not wait until the harassment escalates or until retaliation costs you your job. A Los Angeles employment lawyer can step in now to stop the harassment and secure your rights.
Taking Action Against Workplace Harassment
Harassment must never be tolerated. Every day you wait allows harassment to continue and leaves your rights unprotected. The sooner you act, the stronger your case. Reporting workplace harassment, filing claims with the EEOC or CRD, and pursuing legal action are steps we take on your behalf.
Our law firm represents victims of harassment and discrimination across Los Angeles, using California law and federal law to hold employers accountable. We believe every worker deserves fair employment without harassment or discrimination.
If you are a victim of workplace harassment, reach out to us today. A Los Angeles employment lawyer for workplace harassment will handle your harassment case, protect your rights, and pursue the justice you deserve.