Schools should be safe havens for children. More and more, school officials and parents are coming to recognize that behavior that would have been shrugged off or laughed at in the past constitutes sexual harassment. Children who are the victims of harassment are robbed of many of the innocent pleasures of childhood, as merely getting through the day becomes a struggle. Schools are under a legal obligation to have a policy against sex discrimination and to address sexual harassment of students, just as employers are obligated to address sexual harassment of their employees. If a school does not prevent or remedy sexual harassment, the school may be held liable for its failure to act. An attorney will help you stand up for your child's rights.
California Lawyer Standing Up for Victims of Sexual Harassment
From offices in Sacramento, the experienced employment law attorneys of Perkins & Associates represent employees who have either suffered sexual harassment in the workplace or who have had to endure a hostile work environment created by the unaddressed harassment of others.
To discuss your case in an informative and confidential consultation with a dedicated trial lawyer with a proven record of fighting sexual harassment in central and northern California, please contact us today.
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Sexual comments or inappropriate touching in the workplace do not always, in themselves, constitute sexual harassment. If, however, these actions are reported to a superior who fails to address the issue, an employee may have grounds to file a lawsuit. To receive a thorough evaluation of your case from an experienced California sexual harassment lawyer, please contact the offices of Perkins & Associates in Sacramento.
The law firm of Perkins & Associates has a long history of success in standing up to some of the world's largest employers, including the State of California, who have violated employees' rights to fair pay and freedom from retaliation and sexual harassment. To discuss your case in a confidential consultation, please call our Sacramento offices at 916-520-141.
Keeping a Sexual Harassment Log
Sexual harassment in the workplace typically consists of numerous incidents. An accurate and detailed written log, or diary, of the incidents will help prove your claim of sexual harassment by providing evidence of what took place and when. An attorney from Perkins & Associates in Sacramento, with experience in handling sexual harassment claims, can tell you what type of evidence you need in order to bring a sexual harassment claim in California.
When to Record an Incident
It is best to record an incident as soon as you believe you have experienced sexual harassment. Even if you have no intention of bringing a claim, or even if you aren't sure whether something constitutes harassment, it is important to record it. Sexual harassment cases often start with one or two isolated remarks or incidents. You will want to be able to show the timeline and evolution of the harassment. It is also important that you write down what happened while your recollection is still fresh and accurate.
What to Write
It is better to write too much rather than not enough. You may not be able to tell now whether something will be important. You should record:
- Offensive conversations or remarks
- Sexual contact or touching
- Sexual incidents in the workplace
- E-mails or memos you have received (place hard copies in your log, if possible)
- Complaints you have made: when, to whom, what you said and the response
Your log should include the names and titles of the people involved, as well as the dates and times of the incidents or conversations. Do not be afraid to record your own emotional reaction, even if no one else saw it. Your reactions and feelings could be an important part of your case.
You should also include copies of the performance evaluations you receive from your employer. Later, if your employer attempts to retaliate against you for filing a sexual harassment action, the employer may try to justify not giving you a raise or promotion because of your work record. It is important to know just what your history is so that you can rebut such a claim.
If you are seeing a physician, a psychologist or another professional because of the stress of the harassment, be sure to document all of your visits. Note whether the doctor made a diagnosis, gave any advice or prescribed any medications.
Be detailed in your recordkeeping. Remember that another person eventually may read your log, and you want to make everything clear for someone who was not there to see or hear what happened.
Other Evidence
You may not be the only one with a complaint. If you can, find out if other employees have noticed or complained about the same type of harassment. You may be able to find additional evidence that will bolster your claim. Talking to other employees whom you trust may also help to combat feelings of isolation and to establish that you found the conduct offensive at the time it happened.
Conclusion
Even though it may be upsetting to keep a sexual harassment log, recording incidents as they happen is often the best way of getting the proof you need to make an effective claim. An attorney from Perkins & Associates in Sacramento, California, who is knowledgeable in the area of sexual harassment law can help you record strong evidence.
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