No one should feel unsafe, threatened, or demeaned at work. Yet many employees across California face harassment in the workplace—from inappropriate comments to ongoing intimidation or even retaliation. If you’re experiencing harassment on the job, you don’t have to suffer in silence. You have rights—and legal options.
At PLBH, we help workers take action against harassment and hold employers accountable. Whether the behavior is coming from a supervisor, coworker, or customer, here’s what you need to know to protect yourself.
What Legally Counts as Workplace Harassment?
Under California law, harassment becomes unlawful when it is severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile, intimidating, or abusive work environment. It’s important to note that harassment can be verbal, physical, or even digital.
Common forms of workplace harassment include:
- Sexual harassment: unwanted advances, sexual jokes, lewd comments, or pressure for dates
- Racial harassment: slurs, offensive stereotypes, or exclusion based on race or ethnicity
- Gender identity or LGBTQ+ harassment: mocking someone’s identity or using incorrect pronouns deliberately
- Disability-based harassment: jokes, mistreatment, or refusal to accommodate
- Religious harassment: mocking beliefs or requiring participation in religious activities
- Age harassment: comments about being “too old” or targeting older workers for exclusion
Harassment doesn’t have to be physical. Persistent jokes, texts, emails, or even “jokes” can cross the line if they target you based on a protected characteristic.
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
Harassment can come from:
- A manager or supervisor
- A coworker
- A contractor or vendor
- A customer or client
Your employer is legally responsible for preventing and addressing harassment. If they knew (or should have known) about the situation and failed to act, they may be liable.
How to Respond and Protect Yourself
If you’re facing harassment, taking the following steps can strengthen your case and protect your well-being.
1. Document Everything
- Keep a detailed journal of each incident, including dates, times, locations, what was said or done, and any witnesses
- Save texts, emails, voicemails, or any other evidence
- Make note of how the harassment is affecting your work, health, or job security
2. Report Internally
- Notify your supervisor, HR department, or use your employer’s formal complaint process
- If possible, submit your complaint in writing and keep a copy
- If your harasser is your supervisor, escalate the report to someone else in leadership
3. Watch for Retaliation
It is illegal for your employer to retaliate against you for reporting harassment. Retaliation may include:
- Termination
- Demotion
- Reduced hours or undesirable shifts
- Hostile treatment from management
Retaliation is a separate legal violation, and you can take action for both harassment and any retaliation that follows.
Filing a Harassment Claim in California
If internal reporting doesn’t lead to a resolution—or if you were retaliated against for speaking up—you have the right to pursue a legal claim.
You may file with:
- California Civil Rights Department (CRD) – formerly known as the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) – federal claims
You must file with one of these agencies before you can sue. At PLBH, we can guide you through this process and ensure all deadlines are met.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
If you prove harassment, you may be entitled to:
- Emotional distress damages
- Lost wages or benefits
- Reinstatement if you were wrongfully terminated
- Punitive damages in severe cases
- Attorneys’ fees and legal costs
Talk to an Employment Lawyer Who Will Stand With You
You deserve a safe, respectful work environment. If harassment has made your job intolerable or has led to retaliation, don’t wait. The law is on your side—and so are we.
Call PLBH at (800) 435-7542 today for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your options, and fight to secure your rights.