Holiday Inn Express is one of the world’s most recognized brands for affordable and convenient lodgings, whether you are on vacation or traveling for work. These budget-friendly hotels are owned by IHG Hotels & Resorts, which has more than 2,400 locations in many countries around the world. Holiday Inn owners pride themselves on how well they care for their guests from check in to check out.
Unfortunately, major corporations like Holiday Inn are not so great when it comes to how they treat their workers. Perhaps you were subjected to abusive treatment, like sexual harassment during your time at the Holiday Inn. Eventually, you were fired from your job, and you suspect that your employer violated the laws when they told you that your services were no longer needed. Specifically, you believe that the sexual harassment you suffered is directly linked to the company firing you, which is illegal under federal and California laws.
Another possibility is that you are still working at a Holiday Inn location, but your complaints about sexual harassment are ignored, or the abuse has gotten worse since you went to HR or someone at the corporate level. Whether you are a current or former employee, you have the right to seek justice as a victim of sexual harassment. It’s essential to talk to a lawyer about your experience and find out if you are eligible for a workplace sexual harassment lawsuit.
The attorneys of California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group are committed to the fight against harassment and other abuses in the workplace. We have a dedicated legal team with the skills and resources to get you results if you are interested in suing Holiday Inn for sexual harassment. Please contact us as soon as possible and schedule a private consultation with one of our attorneys.
What is Sexual Harassment in the Workplace?
To put it simply, sexual harassment is a type of workplace discrimination that’s based on sex. The harassment may consist of one or more acts, which do not have be physical in nature. For example, you could face sexual harassment in the form of groping and other kinds of inappropriate touching. However, many cases involve solicitation, or asking for sexual favors and/or sexual content, like nude pics.
You can also be sexually harassed if your supervisor and other coworkers constantly talk about sexual matters, exchange sexual content, and make crude remarks and jokes out in the open. This kind of behavior makes people uncomfortable and leads to a toxic work environment. In order to have a legal case for harassment, the conduct must be severe enough to create hostile conditions that impair your work performance. You must also be affected by a negative employment decision, like demotion or termination of your job.
To verify whether you have the makings of a Holiday Inn Express sexual harassment lawsuit, don’t hesitate to give us a call. An employment rights lawyer at our office can provide you with one-on-one assistance during a free consultation.
Legal Protections against Sexual Harassment
In California, and throughout the U.S., for that matter, it is illegal for employers to look the other way when someone complains of sexual harassment. They must also take actions to stop the abuse and protect the victim from retaliation. The laws that guarantee your right to protection from sexual harassment include:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
- California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act
Our legal experts can provide you with information on both of these laws and how they impact your right to file a lawsuit for sexual harassment. We can also explain the process of filing a labor agency complaint, which is the first step before you can sue your employer through the court system. Don’t worry if you are overwhelmed by all this information. We are here to help you navigate the legal system, and ensure that you are fairly compensated by Holiday Inn.
Filing a Sexual Harassment Claim
As previously stated, you do not have to stay silent and put up with sexual harassment while working for Holiday Inn Express. But what can you do if reporting the incidents to Human Resources fails to solve the problem? The good news is, you can turn to the federal or state agency in charge of employment violations by filing a claim for sexual harassment:
One option is to file a claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This is a federal office that enforces employment regulations and issues penalties against employers that break the law. Or, they may give you permission to file a lawsuit on your own.
Alternatively, you can file a claim with at the state level with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). Like the EEOC, this agency will investigate your claim and take actions against the employer or provide you with the documentation that’s needed for a lawsuit.
Make sure to consult a sexual harassment lawyer who can help you file a claim with the correct agency. If you receive a Right to Sue letter in response to your complaint, your lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf and ask for monetary damages from the employer. In the next section, we will talk more about the types of compensation that may be awarded to you if you suffered sexual harassment as a Holiday Inn employee.
Monetary Restitution from a Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
By filing a sexual harassment lawsuit, you can seek payment for various losses that resulted from your employer’s negligence or misconduct. Of course, it’s natural to have questions about the damages you are entitled to and how much you can receive from a sexual harassment claim. Each claim has its own set of circumstances that influence what you can obtain from your employer. Damages we will seek to recover on your behalf may include:
- Back and front pay (lost wages)
- Any other forms on unpaid income, such as unpaid bonuses, commissions, overtime, tips, value of sick and vacation days, etc.
- Pain and suffering for mental health issues resulting from sexual harassment and other acts of mistreatment
- Punitive damages that may be awarded by a jury in cases of gross negligence or malicious conduct by the employer
Some of our clients also receive medical expenses depending on how the abuse impacted their mental and physical health. You can also explore the idea of getting your job back, i.e., reinstatement to your former position if you were wrongfully terminated. As you can imagine, most claimants decline to go back to their job at the Holiday Inn, but this is a personal matter at the end of the day. A thorough discussion with a sexual harassment attorney will help you make the choice that’s right for you and your loved ones.
We are Here to Help
As someone who is going through the agony of sexual harassment, it’s hard to know where you can turn to for advice and guidance. Please know that our law firm has helped many people in your situation, and it is possible to achieve justice by filing a harassment claim or lawsuit. The key is to empower yourself with knowledge and work hand in hand with a lawyer that specializes in workplace sexual harassment.
Along with high quality representation, we strive to protect your finances with the Zero Fee Guarantee. This policy means you can hire us for $0 down, and we wait until the recovery of your settlement to deduct legal fees. Please note that if we fail to win your case, you owe us $0 and walk away without spending a penny.
Fighting back against sexual harassment takes tremendous courage, and the legal process will not be quick or easy. But rest assured that the legal team of California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group is with you every step of the way. Please contact our office today to discuss your case with a Holiday Inn Express sexual harassment attorney.
