California has been at the forefront of fighting sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination for the better part of a century. The broad and strong economy in the Golden State has required a modern and progressive approach to labor relations, driving concerns about inclusion.
Increased attention to sexual harassment and inappropriate workplace behavior made 2017 a banner year for improving work culture in many industries. Lawsuits have changed approaches to gender equality in venture capitalism, high-tech development and manufacturing. A new and significant target for solving problems of sexual harassment has been the state capitol in Sacramento.
A new piece of legislation just became law to protect people reporting sexual harassment or abuse in the state government. Assembly Bill 403 increases penalties previously on the books for retaliating against whistleblowers. Fines and jail time may result from demoting, firing or continuing to harass those who report sexual harassment.
This comes after a year of attention paid to a culture of objectification in Sacramento. Nearly 150 women in California politics added their names to an open letter raising awareness about sexual harassment, from assembly members playing sexualized games to gratifying themselves in the presence of female lobbyists and activists.
Granting protections to those victimized by sexual harassment is widely considered a step towards preventing the practice in workplaces across the Golden State. An attorney may help victims of sexual harassment and other forms of workplace discrimination settle these issues through settlements, civil court actions and other legal tools. No one should suffer under instances or patterns of inappropriate workplace behavior and standards.
Source: Jurist, “California governor signs bill protecting sexual harassment whistleblowers,” Mary Nicholas, Feb. 06, 2018