Sexual Harassment in the workplace is often less direct than your employer touching you, demanding sexual favors, or making unwanted advances in or out of the office. Sexual harassment can also appear when your employer or fellow employees create a hostile workplace. A hostile workplace is one where you are uncomfortable due to other’s unwanted actions or words, emails, pictures, or other offensive activities.

Sometimes it can be your coworker opening illicit webpages or email in your presence. Or it can be as simple as posting flyers around your office with offensive pictures or descriptions. Even cards or pictures on someone’s desk that you are forced to see everyday can create a hostile work environment. These actions and activities are not appropriate for the work place, and they can also be illegal. If you are faced with offensive or illicit materials or comments in the office, then you should report them to your direct supervisor. But if the activities continue and your supervisor does not stop them, then they are also responsible for creating and fostering a hostile workplace.

In one workplace in California, co-workers displayed nearly nude pictures of women in a flyer for a medical disability fundraiser. Though the cause was good, and the event was to raise money for a cure, the offensive pictures were posted throughout the workplace. Another situation involved dishwashers in the back of a restaurant bringing in laptops to watch illicit material during their wash breaks. Both of these situations are inappropriate for a work environment, and can create a hostile work place. An experienced employment lawyer can help you get back to work without having to endure offensive and inappropriate conduct.

If you are in a hostile work environment in California, call the Law Offices of Law Offices of David H. Greenberg at 1-800-252-9776 for a free consultation regarding your legal rights and how one of our experienced employment lawyers may be able to help you.