Santa Barbara Employment Law Blog

Sexual harassment in California can be seen in many different forms. While the most common scenario is a male harassing a female, this is not always the case. Women can be the perpetrators towards men, and you can also be sexually harassed by someone of your same gender. It is important to be aware of the law and some examples of what may constitute harassment in sexual form.

According to The Globe and Mail, harassment between two of the same sex is not nearly as common as harassment dealing with different genders, but that these cases are on the rise. One of the reasons for this is because the workplace climate is changing in regard to sexual harassment in general and more are willing to come forward when something occurs. Whether it is name calling or behavior that is sexually offensive, harassment is about the exertion of power.

While it would be great if every work situation was free of conflict and drama, this is not usually the case. Unfortunately, sexual harassment is one type of behavior that can make working in an environment challenging and uncomfortable. Although California has laws against sexual harassment, it still occurs and it is important to know how to proceed so that the claim is taken seriously and a proper investigation is carried out.

Forbes reports that a survey showed around 33% of women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. Of those women, only 30% actually reported the incidents and one of the main reasons is they are afraid. To help more women and men come forward, there are certain steps one should follow. The first is to document each and every situation in which you felt harassed. Documentation should be written and/or typed up and kept at home or in a safe place, preferably not at work. Take detailed notes and include the date and time as well as if there were any witnesses to the transaction. Any other evidence, such as emails, texts and notes, should also be collected and copied.

Recently, an increasing amount of attention has been given to sexual harassment and sexual assault. A number of high-profile cases have appeared in recent months and many people are becoming aware of how problematic sexual harassment and assault are in society. Unfortunately, many people continue to mistreat staff members and subject them to sexual harassment which violates the law. Moreover, some people may choose to stay silent for unfortunate reasons. For example, they may be afraid to hold someone who is in a position of power accountable for what they have done.

Sometimes, people who have a high-ranking position in society feel as if they are invincible or able to get away with unacceptable behaviors. It is especially important to hold people like this accountable for a number of reasons. First, they may have a considerable amount of influence over others and the ability to impact perceptions of sexual harassment, sexual assault and accountability. For example, those who may be less successful or those who have less authority may feel as if they can get away with unacceptable behaviors as well.

Being a worker in America is not always easy, and the fact that it is has been nine years since the minimum wage went up federally doesn't brighten the picture. As of July 24, 2018, the minimum wage in the United States has been $7.25 for nine years. At the time that it was raised, the country was in a recession. This made people wonder what the long-term effects would be on the economy and workers in America.

Today, the same questions are asked, and many states have had to take minimum wage into their own hands. It is always an argument about whether the minimum wage should be increased and what would happen if it was. There are some other things to know about the minimum wage, though.