Los Angeles Workplace Harassment Lawyer

You’re consistently belittled in meetings, subjected to inappropriate jokes from a colleague, or find yourself excluded from projects crucial to your career advancement. Perhaps your manager suggests that a promotion is within reach if you’re willing to “cooperate” with their personal demands. Or maybe you’re an immigrant worker constantly berated with slurs or threats about your immigration status. Workplace harassment comes in many forms, but the result is always the same—a toxic environment that erodes your confidence, career, and sense of security.

When fairness is out of reach, Fraigun Law Group will help you reclaim it.

What is Workplace Harassment?

Workplace harassment isn’t just unfair—it’s illegal. Under California law, harassment includes unwelcome behavior based on race, gender, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, immigration status, or other protected characteristics. It encompasses actions like verbal abuse, physical threats, unwanted advances, or discriminatory practices that create a hostile work environment. Whether it’s email harassment, quid pro quo scenarios, or repeated microaggressions, these behaviors violate your rights. Marina is here to help you fight back, no matter how daunting your situation feels.

Unfair Workplace Practices: Recognizing Harassment

Harassment takes many forms, but some common examples include:

a) Derogatory comments or slurs about your race, gender, or immigration status.
b) Inappropriate jokes, emails, or texts with sexual undertones.
c) Unwanted touching, advances, or physical intimidation.
d) Quid pro quo situations where job benefits are tied to personal favors.
e) Exclusion from important meetings or projects because of your identity.
f) Retaliation after reporting harassment or discrimination.

These behaviors aren’t just wrong—they’re actionable under California law.

Types of Workplace Harassment

• Sexual Harassment
• Racial and Ethnic Harassment
• Religious Harassment
• Disability Harassment
• Email and Digital Harassment
• Quid Pro Quo Harassment
• Immigrant Worker Harassment

Breaking Down Types of Workplace Harassment

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment involves unwelcome advances, physical touch, suggestive comments, or inappropriate jokes of a sexual nature. It also includes actions like displaying explicit materials in the workplace or persistent unwanted attention.

1. Quid Pro Quo Harassment: This subset of sexual harassment occurs when an employer or supervisor ties job benefits—like promotions, raises, or continued employment—to tolerating sexual advances. For example, an employee might be told their next promotion depends on “going out” with a manager.

2. Hostile Work Environment Harassment: Persistent sexual behavior or comments that create an intimidating or degrading atmosphere for employees also falls under this category.

Racial & Ethnic Harassment

Racial harassment targets employees based on their race, ethnicity, or cultural background. This can include offensive slurs, racial stereotyping, derogatory remarks, or actions that isolate or demean employees of a particular race.

For instance, mocking an employee’s accent or making comments about their racial heritage contributes to a hostile work environment.

DIsability Harassment

 Employees with disabilities are often targeted with ridicule, exclusion, or denial of necessary accommodations. Disability harassment may include:

• Teasing or belittling comments about a disability.
• Denying accommodations, like flexible hours or assistive technology.
• Isolating or sidelining disabled employees from projects or meetings.

Religious Harassment

Religious harassment involves mistreatment based on an employee’s faith, beliefs, or religious practices. Examples include:

• Requiring employees to conform to certain religious practices.
• Mocking religious attire, such as hijabs or yarmulkes.
• Refusing reasonable accommodations for religious observances.

Quid Pro quo harassment

A form of harassment where workplace benefits are conditioned upon compliance with inappropriate demands. Quid pro quo harassment creates a direct power imbalance, forcing employees to make impossible choices between their career and their dignity.

Example: A manager tells an employee they must attend an after-hours dinner to discuss their raise, with suggestive undertones.

Email & Digital Harassment

Workplace harassment has evolved to include digital forms, with offensive, threatening, or demeaning messages sent through workplace communication tools. Examples include:

• Emails containing slurs, insults, or inappropriate comments about race, gender, or other personal attributes.
• Sexual innuendos or explicit messages sent via email or other workplace platforms.
• Derogatory discussions in group chats or workplace online forums.

Immigrant worker harassment

 Immigrant workers face unique vulnerabilities, such as:

• Threats of deportation when they report mistreatment.
• Mocking language barriers or accents.
• Unequal treatment or pay compared to other employees.

California laws explicitly prohibit this form of harassment, ensuring all workers—regardless of status—have access to justice.

Hostile Work Environment harassment

A hostile work environment arises when harassment is so pervasive or severe that it creates an intimidating, degrading, or abusive workplace for an employee. This can include:

• Persistent bullying or exclusion.
• Frequent inappropriate jokes or comments.
• Any combination of harassment forms that make the workplace intolerable.

California Laws Protecting Employees from Harassment

California’s workplace protections include:

1. California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA): FEHA prohibits harassment based on protected characteristics like race, gender, religion, and immigration status. It applies to employers with five or more employees.
2. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: This federal law prohibits harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
3. California Labor Code Section 1102.5: Protects employees from retaliation for reporting harassment or discrimination.
4. The Workplace Harassment Training Requirement: California mandates regular harassment prevention training for employers, ensuring workers understand their rights and employers know their responsibilities.

What Qualifies as Workplace Harassment?

Workplace harassment goes beyond rude behavior. It must involve unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic, creating a work environment that is intimidating, hostile, or abusive. Examples include sexual advances, racial slurs, or repeated mocking of a disability. Even a single severe incident—like an assault—can qualify as harassment under California law.

How Do I Prove Workplace Harassment?

Proving workplace harassment requires clear evidence of inappropriate or unlawful behavior. Start by documenting every incident, including dates, times, and details of what occurred. Save all relevant emails, text messages, or written communications, and identify coworkers or witnesses who can support your claims. FLG will work with you to gather and organize this evidence, build a strong legal argument, and navigate the process to hold your employer accountable.

How Do I File a Workplace Harassment Complaint

Filing a workplace harassment complaint in California often involves the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH):
1. Gather Documentation: Collect evidence of the harassment.
2. Contact DFEH: File a complaint online or via mail within one year of the incident.
3. Investigation: DFEH will review your case and may offer mediation.
4. Right-to-Sue Letter: If mediation fails, DFEH issues a right-to-sue letter, allowing you to pursue a lawsuit.
5. Legal Action: With Marina by your side, you can confidently take the next steps to hold your employer accountable.

What Compensation Can I Expect From Workplace Harassment?

Victims of workplace harassment may receive compensation for:

• Lost wages and benefits.
• Emotional distress and mental health treatment.
• Reinstatement or job promotion.
• Attorney fees and legal costs.

Each case is unique, and Marina will fight to maximize your compensation while ensuring justice is served

Why Choose Fraigun Law Group for Your Workplace Harassment Case?

Marina Fraigun is not just an employment attorney—she’s a fearless advocate for justice. While other attorneys may shy away from challenging cases, Marina takes them head-on, armed with a track record of holding major corporations accountable. Her approachable yet assertive style ensures you feel supported while she delivers results. When you choose the Fraigun Law Group, you’re choosing a legal team that fights tirelessly for your rights.

Common Questions about Workplace Harassment

Workplace harassment in Los Angeles can take many forms, from inappropriate comments and unwanted advances to more severe actions like intimidation or exclusion based on race, gender, disability, or other protected characteristics. The fast-paced industries and diverse workforce in Los Angeles mean that harassment can be subtle or overt, but both are equally damaging and illegal. Victims often feel silenced or uncertain about their rights, but California laws, including the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), provide strong protections against harassment. If you’re experiencing hostile behavior in your workplace, Marina  can help you navigate the legal process, ensuring your case is handled with the precision and urgency it deserves. Don’t let harassment define your professional life—reach out to someone who will fight to protect your rights and dignity.

How Fraigun Law Group Can Help

Workplace harassment can leave you feeling powerless—but with Marina in your corner, you’re far from alone. As a dedicated advocate for employees across Los Angeles, Marina brings unmatched determination and precision to every case. She doesn’t just fight harassment; she dismantles the systems that allow it to thrive, ensuring your story is heard and your rights are upheld. Whether you’re facing discrimination, intimidation, or a hostile work environment, Marina’s no-nonsense approach delivers real results. Don’t let workplace harassment define your career or your future.

Contact the Fraigun Law Group today and let Marina turn your fight for justice into a decisive victory. Your dignity, your career, and your peace of mind are worth the battle—and Marina is ready to lead the charge.