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Last Modified on Dec 08, 2025
Workplace harassment is more common than you think. Unfortunately, workplace harassment is underreported, and one in five people experience it. Some people may ask, “What are examples of workplace harassment in California?” Workplace harassment falls under three main categories: physical, visual, and verbal harassment.
What Are Common Types of Workplace Harassment?
Workplace harassment comes in many forms and can include invading personal space, unwanted persistent advances or touching, offensive or hostile comments, quid pro quo, sexual harassment, cyberbullying, and workplace discrimination.
Common forms of workplace harassment include the following:
- Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual advances, including being exposed to sexual content, lewd behavior, making comments about a person’s body, and any other form of sexual behavior.
- Verbal harassment pertains to offensive jokes referencing a person’s race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation, including derogatory stereotypes.
- Physical harassment can be any kind of physical touch that makes the person feel uncomfortable, even if it is only touching the person’s clothes.
- Quid pro quo harassment occurs when an employee is offered a promotion, raise, or some kind of job advancement in return for providing sexual favors requested by a workplace superior.
- Cyberbullying is online harassment outside of work, including via social media posts and messaging apps.
What Are the Effects of Workplace Harassment?
Workplace harassment can take an emotional and physical toll on people. For many, it can cause quality-of-life issues and make it difficult for them to complete daily tasks, including work tasks. Some people may experience post-traumatic stress disorder and seek psychological help to sort through the experience and reclaim their lives.
Workplace harassment can potentially result in the following mental and emotional effects:
- Lack of motivation
- Depression
- Lack of sleep
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Insecurity
- Short-temperedness
What Is the Process to Submit a Workplace Harassment Claim?
According to the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, you should first submit a harassment claim to your employer’s human resources (HR) department. If you feel intimidated and are not comfortable filing a complaint with HR, you may want to submit your harassment claim with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD).
Before submitting your claim, you will want to have detailed information nearby to reference while you complete the online form. You will want to make notes of in-person conversations and all correspondence with the harasser. This includes personal and business emails, text messages or chats, videos, memes, etc.
Other factors you want to consider are retaliation from your employer, such as reduced hours or increased workload, and other evidence of a toxic work atmosphere.
If co-workers witnessed the harassment, their statements could help your case. Additionally, testimonies from your doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist could also support the validity of your harassment claim.
If you are not satisfied with how your employer responds to your claim, you can seek the legal counsel of a workplace harassment attorney in California.
Why You Should Hire a Workplace Harassment Lawyer in California
If you have experienced workplace harassment and have not received the proper response from your employer, it is in your interests to hire a workplace harassment lawyer. The CRD 2024 Annual Report showed that there were 1,775 employment complaints from people who reported or resisted discrimination or harassment, and 11,837 Right-to-Sue complaints on the same basis.
Our team can assist you with filing a complaint with the CRD and obtaining a Right-to-Sue notice to take legal action if that is how you’d like to proceed with your case.
Our harassment attorney is skilled at analyzing the details of harassment cases to determine strengths and weaknesses. Our legal team works together to help you understand your rights and answer all of your questions regarding your case.
Maralle Messrelian and the team at MM Law have nine years of experience practicing law related to workplace harassment. Our team focuses on California workplace harassment laws and delivers effective case strategies for all clients, leading with compassion and providing the support you need throughout your case.
FAQs
What Is Considered Workplace Harassment in California?
Workplace harassment in California is described as any unwelcome behavior that is against a person’s protected characteristic. According to California law, these protected characteristics pertain to a person’s race, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, or medical history. Workplace harassment is consistent behavior and can be verbal, visual, physical, or sexual.
What Proof Do You Need for a Workplace Harassment Claim in California?
For a workplace harassment claim in California, you will need proof of each incident of harassment or one significant incident. Be sure to document the encounters with yourself and the harasser and collect statements from witnesses who saw or heard the harassment taking place. You can then file a claim with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. Our employment lawyer can help ensure the evidence you have is sufficient for a strong claim.
How Much Does a Workplace Harassment Lawyer Charge in California?
How much a workplace harassment lawyer charges in California varies. Legal fees depend on the complexity of the case, how the case progresses, and whether the claim goes to court. The cost can also depend on the attorney’s fee structure, whether they charge a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a retainer. We can discuss the fees for our legal services as well as our fee structure during an initial consultation.
What Are the Three Forms of Harassment That Can Take Place at Work?
The three main forms of harassment that can take place at work include physical, visual, and verbal. Physical harassment can sometimes be difficult to distinguish. It could be an unwanted touch or a provocative gesture.
Visual harassment is often the most challenging to recognize. It may only involve photos and other media, but if it is unwanted and causes a hostile work environment, it can be considered harassment. Verbal harassment is a common and obvious form of harassment. It can be in writing or spoken words.
Let the MM Law Team Help With Your Harassment Case
Filing a workplace harassment claim can be an intimidating process to navigate. That is why the team at MM Law is here to help you during one of the most challenging times in your life. Our team has extensive experience with the local laws in California and offers compassion and guidance as we work with you on your claim. Contact Maralle Messrelian at MM Law to schedule your consultation.
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