A jury has awarded a sheriff's sergeant $211,700 as the result of a sexual harassment lawsuit in Los Angeles, according to a report in the Mercury News.
Pasadena Employment Attorney Okorie Okorocha said the female sergeant was sexually harassed by a lieutenant from the moment she began working at the Norwalk Sheriff's Station. This included attempts to get her to call him after hours and unwanted touching. He also indicated he had the power to get her promoted if she "cooperated."
Despite making formal complaints through the chain of command, she was denied transfers and promotions. Ultimately, she was relegated to secretarial duties normally handled by interns. The jury awarded her $211,700 plus attorney fees.
"Attorneys with the California Legal Team worked to get (her) the justice she deserved after enduring sexual harassment for years," Okorocha said.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reported 11,717 sexual harassment complaints were filed in 2010. That is down from the 13,000 a year reported before the economic downturn. Unfortunately, victims may be less likely to report such harassment during a poor economy.
However, harassed workers who seek qualified legal representation enjoy protected status as state and federal law forbids retaliation. Sexually harassing behavior does not usually resolve itself. In most cases, an offender must be disciplined and/or removed from the workplace.
If you need to speak to a sexual harassment attorney in Orange County, contact the California Legal Team at (310) 497-0321 to discuss your rights.
