Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when someone in a position of authority at work, typically a boss, makes your job dependent on your submitting to sexual advances. For example, you could be promised a promotion in exchange for agreeing to a date or expected to stay silent about harassment to keep your job. Likewise, if someone offers you a better office or threatens punishment in exchange for something sexual, that is also quid pro quo harassment. The term “quid pro quo” means “this for that,” and no one should feel pressure to engage in sexual conduct with a superior at work to keep their job.
This type of sexual harassment is not always explicitly stated. Even implied threats of retaliation or promises of advancement could be legally considered quid pro quo. Additionally, while a single incident is enough to establish a case, a pattern of behavior or documentation is helpful, but not legally required.
Quid pro quo sexual harassment is illegal under both California and federal law. If you have any questions about Mar Vista quid pro quo sexual harassment claims, contact our workplace sexual harassment attorney at Employee Civil Rights Group now.
Lawsuits for sexually intimidating exchanges fall under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act. According to Government Code § 12940(j)(1), it is illegal for someone in a position of power to condition employment decisions on sexual conduct.
The law only applies to businesses with five or more employees. It covers hiring, firing, raises, demotions, and job assignments. If someone offers or demands sex as part of those decisions, it probably qualifies as quid pro quo harassment.
To file a claim, you must first submit a complaint to the California Civil Rights Department. You could request an investigation or an immediate Right-to-Sue letter and take your case directly to court. A Right-to-Sue letter, not required for most other lawsuits, is a document from the California Civil Rights Department that permits you to file your harassment case in civil court.
You have three years from the last act of harassment or retaliation to file your complaint with the state. If the court issues you a Right-to-Sue letter, you must file in civil court within one year. This time limit is not flexible, so it is crucial to call our Mar Vista quid pro quo sexual harassment lawyer immediately for legal advice regarding a claim.
Our quid pro quo sexual harassment attorney constantly reminds clients that consent under threat is not real consent. If someone in a position of power at your workplace made a sexual demand and you acquiesced to avoid being fired or demoted, that is still harassment.
Claims involving quid pro quo sexual harassment in Mar Vista and throughout the state are valid even if you said yes under pressure. The law looks at power dynamics and financial pressures, not just whether you agreed. California courts recognize that people sometimes comply to survive.
Submitting does not waive your rights. It may actually strengthen your case by demonstrating the extent of the power imbalance.
At Employee Civil Rights Group, we begin by demonstrating that a person in a position of power linked your job status to something of a sexual nature. You do not need any videos, audio recordings, or confessions. Our team may search through texts, emails, witness statements, and patterns of behavior to tell your story.
Your case must prove five elements:
After reporting the quid pro quo sexual harassment in Mar Vista to the California Civil Rights Department and receiving a Right-to-Sue letter, our attorney at Employee Civil Rights Group files your lawsuit. Subsequently, both parties exchange evidence and discuss settlement negotiations.
You could receive financial compensation for emotional distress, lost pay, job reinstatement, and attorney fees. In serious cases, the court could award punitive damages to hold the employer responsible and deter similar conduct in the future.
You should not have to choose between your paycheck and your dignity. Our lawyer could help you demand justice and exercise your rights. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and learn more about Mar Vista quid pro quo sexual harassment claims.
