Yes, you can sue your employer for sexual harassment in California if you have experienced unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile work environment or results in adverse employment actions. California law provides strong protections for employees and holds employers accountable for harassment by supervisors, coworkers, or even non-employees under certain conditions.

What Is Considered Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment may include:

• Unwelcome sexual advances
• Requests for sexual favors
• Offensive comments, jokes, or gestures
• Inappropriate touching or physical conduct
• Retaliation for rejecting sexual conduct

This behavior becomes unlawful when it interferes with your work performance, creates an intimidating or hostile environment, or leads to a negative employment outcome, such as being demoted or fired.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

In California, employers can be held strictly liable for harassment by supervisors or managers. They can also be held responsible if they knew or should have known about harassment by coworkers, clients, or others and failed to take corrective action.

Steps to Take Before Suing

Before you can sue your employer, you must follow these steps:

• Document the harassment: Keep detailed records of what happened, when, and who was involved.
• Report the harassment internally: Follow your company’s policy and report the conduct to a manager or HR.
• File a complaint with a government agency: You must file a complaint with either the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
• Obtain a Right-to-Sue notice: After the agency reviews your case, you may request a Right-to-Sue letter, which gives you permission to file a lawsuit in court.

Time Limits for Filing

You typically have three years from the date of the last incident of harassment to file a complaint with CRD. Once you receive a Right-to-Sue notice, you usually have one year to file your lawsuit in civil court.

Get Legal Help

Suing your employer can be a complex and emotionally taxing process. Having an experienced employment attorney on your side ensures that your rights are protected, your evidence is properly presented, and your case is as strong as possible.

At the California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group, we represent victims of sexual harassment throughout California. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis—you don’t pay unless we win. Contact us today to learn more about your legal options and how we can help you seek 99justice.