L.A. sexual harassment attorney

Sexual Harassment Accusers Say California Capitol Fails Victims

December 13, 2017 | by Nassiri Law

A number of lobbyists, lawyers and staffers of the California Capitol urged state legislators to make changes in the way the state Assembly keeps track of and handles claims of sexual harassment. At the present time, it’s alleged the procedures are confusing, arbitrarily enforced and often result in worse outcomes for victims as opposed to those are carrying out the abuse.

Calls for this action were heard during a five-hour committee meeting, which was the first in either of the state’s legislative bodies to weigh the existing internal policies for sexual harassment misconduct. Although the decisions won’t necessarily have a direct impact on private sector workers, policies and procedures with the Capitol are often viewed as a model and a standard. Other companies will carefully look at how the legislators govern themselves when drafting their own sexual harassment policies.

Although our sexual harassment lawyers in Riverside have been on the forefront of this issue for years, it’s one that has gained enormous traction this year, one that has brought decades-old allegations to light and brought down extremely powerful men, from media moguls to Hollywood producers to politicians. Although it’s been a shock to our collective conscious to see the many millions of people (women in particular) in California, the U.S. and throughout the world joint the #MeToo movement, many women and those who have been fighting for their rights know the prevalence wasn’t all that shocking. It seems almost every woman, if not at some point personally a victim of sexual harassment, has seen it happen or knows someone who was targeted. Continue Reading ›

Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Fox News Host Bill O’Reilly Settled

February 9, 2017 | by Nassiri Law

Sexual harassment claims against the former Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes ultimately cost the executive his job and resulted in a $20 million settlement with former anchor Gretchen Carlson. The allegations embroiled the company in controversy, as Greta Van Susteren, one of the longest-serving hosts, quit abruptly. Later, star Megyn Kelly, who would also come forward with claims of sexual harassment against Ailes, announced she was leaving for NBC. Kelly said she didn’t come forward sooner with her claims of harassment because to do so would have been, “Career suicide.”

Now, it seems that these type of incidents were part of a larger pattern, perhaps even a corporate culture, as more allegations against other executives and hosts have been revealed. Most recently, The New York Times reported, was the revelation that 21st Century Fox, which is the parent company of Fox News, quietly settled a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by an employee against prime-time star Bill O’Reilly.

The claim was made by a female Fox broadcaster who first began working for the company in the 1990s. She worked for a time on the Fox & Friends weekend edition show, and she had a regular segment on The O’Reilly Factor. She alleges O’Reilly tried to initiate a sexual relationship with her back in 2011. However, she declined his advance, resulting in his retaliation, according to the lawsuit. Additionally, a long-time Fox News executive, now co-president of the company after Ailes’ ouster, is also accused of retaliation in the case. Continue Reading ›

Report: Sexual Harassment, Rarely Reported, Knows No Occupational Bounds

January 15, 2017 | by Nassiri Law

In mid-2016, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s sexual harassment task force released a report revealing some troubling findings:

One-third of complaints to EEOC during fiscal year 2015 included an allegation of workplace harassment, including on the basis of sex.
The EEOC recovered nearly $165 million that year from companies where workplace harassment persisted.
Much of the current training methods are ineffective at prevention, as they focus mostly on sidestepping legal liability for workplace harassment.

Sexual harassment in particular is a serious concern – and a pervasive one. Continue Reading ›

California Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Filed by Former Elementary School Worker

January 2, 2017 | by Nassiri Law

A former elementary school employee has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the school district and her former boss, alleging her superior subjected her and another paid intern to “severe and pervasive” mistreatment based on their gender. She alleges wrongful termination and retaliation.

According to The East Bay Times, the plaintiff worked at one of the district’s elementary schools in Contra Costa County. Her boss was the director of technology with the district. She alleges that he asked her numerous times whether she was “satisfied” by her husband. He routinely commented on her appearance, making sexual comments. He also on occasion forcefully thrust his body up against hers and kissed her on the lips without consent. Plaintiff decided she had to report these incidents to human resources when she heard that a paid intern was enduring similar incidents of sexual harassment.

But when defendant supervisor learned of plaintiff’s intention, he reportedly asked to meet with her privately and at that time told her if she pressed forward with her complaint, it would “change a lot of things.” He assured a poor outcome could be avoided if she would avoid making a report. Plaintiff decided to go forward with her complaint anyway. A human resources officer concluded the allegations had merit, and the supervisor was subsequently placed on leave. But he wasn’t fired. He simply took another position as a technology coordinator for a nearby school district. However, plaintiff didn’t get such a sweet deal. Continue Reading ›

Hugging and Sexual Harassment: What You Need to Know

August 25, 2016 | by Nassiri Law

A public transportation worker in Washington D.C. is suing the agency for damages in excess of $200,000 after she claims her supervisor repeatedly asked her for, demanded or forced hugs. Eventually, she said, when she reported the sexual harassment, her boss retaliated against her.

The federal employment lawsuit alleges her supervisors ignored repeated reports of this treatment, even as another assistant superintendent in the bus division where plaintiff worked revealed he had a history of sexual harassment at the firm.

This case presents a good opportunity to talk about the H-word: Hugs. For some, hugs are viewed as a way to “spread the love.” But our sexual harassment lawyers know they can also be a liability to workplaces that allow them to go unchecked. Continue Reading ›