We all strive to live a healthy and balanced life, but that can be harder to accomplish with all that we do on a daily basis. Working out, eating healthy, and taking time off to rest are some of the ways we can deal with stress and other harmful elements. Of course, there are many situations that cannot be erased or alleviated with basic lifestyle changes. How you are treated at work may be far from ideal, but many of us have to put up with criticism, overly demanding bosses, mean comments, and other unfair treatment.
One thing you should never have to deal with is sexual harassment – a toxic form of workplace discrimination that happens far too often at major corporations throughout California. Did you experience sexual harassment or assault while working for NBC Universal? Are you a sexual harassment victim who lost their job with the media company? You may be entitled to compensation from a sexual harassment lawsuit.
As an entertainment conglomerate with an army or workers, you may have been told that you are disposable, and no one will take your claims of sexual harassment seriously. You may have been threatened and made to feel that you will never work again in the entertainment industry if you dare to speak out. While suing for sexual misconduct is not right for everyone, it may be the right solution for you. We want to educate you on your rights and ensure that you make an informed choice, so please call today and schedule a free case evaluation.
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment includes a wide variety of verbal and non-verbal acts, and some of these are much more obvious than others. Clearly, we can say that molestation, groping, and other physical contact are examples of sexual harassment. But there are many other behaviors that fall under this category, so it’s important that workers understand:
- Sexual harassment is any kind of unwanted sexual behavior, whether it’s verbal, non-verbal, physical, or in writing. The behavior must interfere with one’s ability to perform their job duties and/or create a work environment that is hostile, intimidating, or offensive. This can include more subtle acts of harassment, like talking openly about one’s sex life or sending you sexually explicit images and videos.
- Most cases of sexual harassment take place between an employee and someone of higher rank, like a supervisor or manager. However, you can also be sexually harassed by someone of the same rank, like a coworker in the same department.
- Men can also be victimized by sexual harassment, though women are more likely to face this type of workplace discrimination. At the end of the day, anyone of any gender, sexuality, or status may be targeted for sexually harassing behavior by someone they work with.
Please note that you will have to prove certain elements in order to seek legal action against the party that harassed you. First, you must show that the conduct was unwanted, so it’s important to speak out and tell the person (in writing, if at all possible) that you want them to stop the offending behavior. Alternatively, you can report the behavior to a Human Resources rep or another individual appointed to help employees with work-related complaints.
In addition, the harassment must be pervasive or severe, meaning that one isolated incident won’t be enough to serve as grounds for a lawsuit. However, if the offense is severe, like a threat to fire you if you don’t sleep with your boss, that in itself can justify legal action, though you will have to show that NBC Universal failed to act appropriately upon learning of the event. Otherwise, you must establish that less severe acts of sexual harassment occurred consistently over a long period of time and caused you enough distress to where it affected you job performance. Or, the company retaliated against you (termination, pay cut, etc.) when you filed a complaint or refused to drop the issue.
Types of Sexual Harassment Complaints
Legally, sexual harassment in the workplace falls under two distinct categories: quid pro quo and hostile work environment. A lawsuit may involve both categories of harassment, but it’s important to understand the difference so that you can take the proper steps towards legal action. More often than not, workers deal with quid pro quo harassment, where someone of higher rank offers job perks and opportunities in exchange for sexual favors. A hostile work environment claim is a bit broader in scope, as it involves pervasive conduct that makes the workplace toxic, offensive, oppressive, or intimidating.
There are various laws at the state and federal level that exist to protect employees from sexual harassment and assault. However, these legal protections have certain limitations. Title VII protections against discrimination, for example, only apply to employers with 15 or more workers. This is not a problem if you are employed with a major media group like NBC Universal, but those working for smaller businesses may be left out. However, the state of California has similar protections under the Fair Employment and Housing Act. This law covers employers with 5 or more workers, and that means just about any business must comply with FEHA’s anti-discrimination policies.
You also have the right to file a formal complaint against your employer for sexual harassment and other related legal violations. If the abuse directed at you is a violation of federal laws, you can file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Or, you can submit a complaint to the California Civil Rights Division if you are alleging a violation of state employment laws.
If you are planning on filing a lawsuit, please be aware that you must file a complaint with either of these agencies. You can only proceed with a lawsuit once they send you what is known as a Right to Sue notice. For more information on filing a civil lawsuit for sexual harassment at NBC Universal, contact the legal team of California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group.
Representation from an NBC Universal Sexual Harassment Lawyer
Has someone at NBC Universal sexually harassed you? Are you suffering due to a hostile work environment because of sexually inappropriate conduct by a colleague or higher-up at the company? If so, you need reliable advice on what you can do to hold your employer accountable, whether you were fired or still work for NBC Universal. Rest assured that California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group has a dedicated team of lawyers who are ready to speak with you, 24/7.
The federal statute known as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits employers from retaliating against workers that exercise their employment rights. So, you cannot be fired for filing a complaint of sexual harassment with the company’s Human Resources department or a government agency, like the EEOC. Employers are also forbidden from punishing workers that participate in a sexual harassment investigation or give information to an attorney, law enforcement, etc.
Were you demoted, fired, or subjected to some other negative employment decision after reporting or speaking out against sexual harassment at NBC Universal? You may have grounds to file a lawsuit for discrimination and retaliation, which you can learn about during a free consultation with our legal experts. By standing up to those who abuse their position of power, you can obtain justice for yourself and implement policy changes that prevent such incidents in the future.
Contact Our Law Firm Today
Do you have questions about your legal rights after being sexually harassed as an NBC Universal employee? In that case, don’t hesitate to contact the Los Angeles office of California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group. We have a solid track record of recovery for sexual harassment and other forms of workplace discrimination, and we are more than ready to fight for your interests.
The journey begins with a free case review to learn about your rights and legal options. If you decide to pursue a sexual harassment claim, you will be charged $0, as all of our attorneys work on contingency. That means we make nothing at all until the case is settled in your favor. If we do not obtain compensation on your behalf, you owe us nothing under the terms of the Zero Fee Guarantee.
Don’t let companies like NBC Universal get away with abusing you and other hard-working employees. Contact us at your earliest opportunity to speak with a sexual harassment lawsuit attorney.
