San Diego Harassment Lawyers

Are You in Need of a San Diego Workplace Harassment Lawyer?

Most people have to work to support themselves and their loved ones. Furthermore, many people find the work they do to be a valuable source of worth, association, and fulfillment in their lives. So it’s tragic when cruel and inappropriate behavior at work causes employees to feel scared, uncomfortable, or vulnerable.

Employers in San Diego have a legal responsibility to create a safe and healthy work environment for their employees. They’re required to take preventive measures and respond promptly to complaints.

If you’ve suffered due to a hostile workplace, inappropriate sexual comments or advances, or any other type of workplace harassment in San Diego as an employee, you have the right to seek compensation. Workplace harassment law firm Eugene Bruno & Associates can help.

Why Choose Us Over Other Workplace Harassment Lawyers in San Diego?

For over 30 years, Eugene Bruno has been getting justice for San Diego clients. With respect and compassion, our San Diego employment law lawyers will seek maximum compensation for the harassment you have suffered.

Eugene Bruno & Associates | Workplace Harassment Law Firm Serving San Diego

• Our law firm offers a free initial case consultation.
• Our law firm has a 99.7% success rate, having recovered millions of dollars for our clients.
• Our attorneys have over 40 years of combined legal experience.
• Firm founder and lead attorney Eugene Bruno is part of National Trial Lawyers Top 100.

Do You Have an Employer Harassment Claim?

California employment law offers robust protections against workplace harassment. This includes laws that address sexual harassment, unwanted physical touch, and other hostile behaviors.

When you meet with Eugene Bruno & Associates for your free consultation, we’ll listen to your story and go over your options for moving forward with your claim.

Discuss your case with Eugene Bruno & Associates by calling 1-888-BRUNO-88 (1-888-278-6688).

Types of Workplace Harassment

California and federal labor laws offer legal protection to employees who are forced to endure workplace harassment. Workplace harassment is any unwanted behavior that makes an employee feel uncomfortable, threatened, or unsafe at work. Victims are often targeted based on personal characteristics, such as race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.

Harassment differs from general workplace conflicts because it creates a hostile work environment, where the environment becomes intimidating, hostile, or offensive due to harassment. More specifically, in a hostile work environment, you can be harmed even when the harassment isn’t directed at you. These behaviors can interfere with your work performance, creating an unwelcoming setting.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Unwanted physical touching—any physical contact that makes you uncomfortable or is unwelcome—is a blatant violation of personal liberty. Examples can range from a shoulder pat to more invasive touching.

Experiencing unwanted touching can be distressing and could make you feel unsafe at work. Documenting each occurrence with details of dates and individuals involved is important. Reach out to HR or a legal advisor to report such behavior, as reporting these issues gives the employer an opportunity to address the problem so they can maintain a safe work environment.

Offensive jokes are another form of harassment that can contribute to a hostile workplace. This may involve inappropriate humor related to race, gender, or sexuality. Also, sharing or distributing inappropriate images digitally, passing them around, or displaying the images in the workspace fall under sexual harassment.

Additional forms of sexual harassment may include:

• Asking questions of a sexual nature
• Disparaging remarks about a person’s gender, gender identity, or sexual preference
• Commenting on someone’s appearance, body, or clothes
• Sexually suggestive comments
• Sexually demeaning comments
• Unwanted sexual advances
• Unwanted touching

What Is Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment?

Quid pro quo harassment involves exchanges where job benefits—such as promotions, salary increases, or job security—are offered in return for sexual favors. This can also include threats to penalize an employee who refuses to provide sexual favors. These threats may include demotions, poor performance reviews, or the loss of employment.

If you find yourself in such a situation, it’s important to document conversations and any evidence of the claim. Quid pro quo sexual harassment is unacceptable, and companies must have policies to address such behavior. For example, HR departments are responsible for enforcing instances of quid pro quo harassment. If this is an issue in your work environment, contact a San Diego workplace harassment attorney right away.

Cyberbullying

In today’s digital age, cyberbullying has emerged as a serious workplace problem. Cyberbullying involves using technology to harass, intimidate, or threaten someone. Additional actions that fall under this category include sending threatening emails, posting inappropriate comments on social media, or isolating someone digitally.

Online harassment can be just as harmful as face-to-face confrontations, affecting mental well-being and job performance. Document any cyberbullying incidents with screenshots and timestamps, report the behavior to your employer, and consult with a labor law attorney as soon as possible.

Harassment Based on Protected Characteristics

Protected characteristics are specific personal attributes that are shielded from discrimination by California labor laws. This includes race, age, disability, religion, national origin, and other personal attributes. Unfortunately, a significant portion of workplace harassment is based on the victim’s sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity. This may include jokes, derogatory comments, or exclusion from workplace activities.

Employment laws protect these characteristics to ensure that everyone has a fair chance at work. Recognizing protected characteristics is fundamental for creating a safe and equitable workplace. Employers must integrate this recognition into their policies and training programs so members of protected classes aren’t subject to workplace harassment.

What Damages Can You Recover for a Workplace Harassment Case in California?

In California, victims of workplace harassment may seek several types of damages, including:

• Lost wages: Compensation for income lost due to harassment.
• Back pay: Wages owed for the time missed from work.
• Emotional stress: Compensation for mental suffering and distress.

Recovering lost wages is a major aspect of workplace harassment claims. Victims can claim wages lost due to missed work days. They may also recover lost benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions. This compensation helps restore financial stability as you move forward with your life.

Damages for pain and suffering address the emotional and mental distress caused by harassment, such as anxiety or depression. A qualified San Diego workplace harassment lawyer will help you quantify these damages so you can seek fair compensation.

Common Scenarios of Harassment in the Workplace

In the workplace, harassment can occur in various forms and settings. Common scenarios include unwelcome sexual advances, inappropriate jokes, or derogatory comments about one’s appearance or abilities.

Each of these scenarios below can significantly impact an employee’s mental health and job satisfaction:

• Sexual comments or innuendos
• Racial jokes or slurs
• Bullying or intimidation tactics

What Are My Legal Rights as an Employee in California?

Every employee has the right to work in an environment free from harassment, and California law requires employers to take reasonable steps to prevent harassment.

If harassment occurs, employees can file complaints with their employer or relevant authorities such as the EEOC. Employers are obligated to investigate and address these complaints promptly.

But understanding your rights can help you feel more secure about reporting harassment incidents and seeking justice. For example, California employees have the right to:

• A harassment-free workplace
• Protection against discrimination
• Safeguards against retaliation
• File a complaint
• Receive a thorough investigation
• Personal privacy during the complaint process

The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) provides broad protections against harassment. However, if you’ve experienced retaliation for reporting harassment, seeking legal guidance as an employee can help.

Employee rights in California are still comprehensive, and a credible law firm like Eugene Bruno & Associates can provide necessary legal support.

How a San Diego Workplace Harassment Attorney Can Help

Our labor law attorneys at Eugene Bruno & Associates offer legal advice and explain complex laws in terms you will understand. We also take care of the necessary paperwork for filing complaints, and we will stand by your side until your case is resolved.

We know this is a difficult time for you, and that’s why we offer emotional support and reassurance, make sure your rights are protected, and seek justice by getting you fair compensation for the harm you have suffered.

We provide these services to clients who have suffered workplace harassment:

1. Free consultation
2. Investigation
3. Negotiation
4. Take your case to trial, if necessary

Free Consultation

This meeting provides an opportunity for you to get to know us better so you can decide if we’re the right workplace harassment law firm for you. We’ll be happy to answer all your questions, review your case, go over the harassment claims process, and discuss your options for pursuing compensation.

Investigation

Eugene Bruno & Associates will collect the following types of evidence to support and strengthen your claim:

• Emails, texts, and written communication
• Company policies and internal documents
• Medical records
• Performance records
• Physical evidence
• Previous complaints against the company
• Witness statements from colleagues and supervisors

Negotiations

Eugene Bruno & Associates will present your employers with a well-researched claim that carefully lays out the harm you have experienced and the damages you are seeking. This process requires persistence and deep knowledge of employment law.

Trial

If the other side refuses to take your claim seriously, or if they fail to make a reasonable settlement offer, Eugene Bruno & Associates is always prepared to take your case to trial. There, a judge or jury will decide on an appropriate resolution of your case.

Call Eugene Bruno & Associates to Schedule a FREE Consultation Today | 1-888-BRUNO-88 (1-888-278-6688).

Don’t Wait: The California Statute of Limitations for Workplace Harassment

You have one to three years to file a harassment claim in California. This timeline emphasizes the importance of taking prompt action. If this window is missed, it may be challenging to pursue legal action against the accused. As soon as you contact a workplace harassment attorney, we can begin investigating your claim, protecting evidence, and interviewing witnesses.

What Our Clients Have to Say About Us

“Truly Awesome to Work With” – Jaclyn Osborne (5-Star Google Review)

Eugene Bruno & Associates are truly awesome to work with! The entire [staff] is exceptionally nice and approachable, making the legal process much less stressful. Their friendly and supportive nature […] makes the experience all-around positive. I highly recommend them for anyone seeking top-notch legal assistance!

“Incredibly Helpful with My Case” – Joshua Lopez (5-Star Google Review)

Eugene Bruno & Associates has been incredibly helpful with my case. Their […] support made the whole process a lot easier. Highly recommend them for anyone in need of a great law firm.

“Their Professionalism […] and Personalized Approach are Unmatched” – Nicholas Salman (5-Star Google Review)

I highly recommend [Eugene Bruno & Associates]. Their professionalism […] and personalized approach are unmatched. Eugene’s deep knowledge, strategic guidance, and seamless communication made the entire process smooth and stress-free. The [firm’s] dedication, innovative solutions, and attention to detail exceeded my expectations. Their client-focused approach made me feel valued. Outstanding service all around. Thank you, [Eugene Bruno & Associates]!

Other Locations We Serve Near San Diego

• Carlsbad
• Chula Vista
• Clairemont
• El Cajon
• Encinitas
• Escondido
• Mission Valley
• Oceanside

Find Out How We Can Help!

If you may have experienced workplace harassment as a California employee, Eugene Bruno & Associates would be happy to answer your questions. Call us at 1-888-BRUNO-88 (1-888-278-6688) for a free consultation with our lawyers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Workplace Harassment Lawyer in San Diego, California?

It doesn’t cost you a penny to hire Eugene Bruno & Associates to handle your harassment claim, and you won’t owe our lawyers anything unless we win your case.

What Is Sexual Harassment in the Workplace?

Sexual harassment includes any unwanted behavior of a sexual nature, including unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, physical contact, inappropriate comments, offensive jokes, and displaying sexually graphic materials.

What Is Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment?

Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when someone in a position of power seeks sexual favors from an employee in return for some type of job benefit, such as a raise, promotion, or improved working conditions. It also occurs when a supervisor threatens an employee with some type of work punishment—such as a pay cut, demotion, a poor performance review, or termination from your job—for not agreeing to sexual favors.

What Is a Hostile Work Environment?

A hostile work environment exists when an employee experiences or witnesses harassment in the workplace that creates a hostile, intimidating, or destructive work environment.

What Damages Can I Receive in a Workplace Harassment Case in California?

Damages may include lost wages, loss of employment benefits, emotional distress, and loss of future earnings.