As the “Me Too” movement began to gain steam in 2017, we started to hear from the state legislature about the need for changes to take place. There was talk of passing legislation that would make it easier for employees to bring lawsuits against their employers. Well, they have done that now with new laws that took effect at the beginning of this year. However, one thing many people did not expect was that the lawmakers themselves would be accused of sexual misconduct.
That is exactly what the Associated Press has uncovered since they began tracking state lawmakers across the county at the beginning of 2017. So far, over 90 of them, including those here in California, have been publicly accused of sexual misconduct. Most of these accusations came to light as the “Me Too” movement gained steam.
At Rager & Yoon – Employment Lawyers, we do not think anyone is above the law, including the lawmakers themselves. Many people are not sure where to turn if they are experiencing these issues in the workplace. We are here for you when you need a Los Angeles sexual harassment attorney.
What Is Happening?
Many people are wondering why there are so many new cases of sexual harassment coming out in the workplace and amongst the state lawmakers’ offices. We are here to tell you that this is not anything new. Sexual harassment has been in the workplace and tolerated at the norm for so long that people did not even realize it was a problem.
Now the spotlight is shining and giving people the voice they need to make changes. In our state, the AP pinpoints four lawmakers accused:
- Assemblyman Matt Dababneh resigned after a lobbyist accused him of lewd behavior.
- Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra resigned after it was alleged he groped or kissed many women without their consent.
- Senator Tony Mendoza resigned after an investigation found he engaged in unwanted suggestive behavior with six women.
- Senator Sebastian Ridley-Thomas resigned after several sexual harassment complaints were filed against him.
Many of those who were victims were people who worked for the state lawmakers. This highlights one of the biggest obstacles that many people face when dealing with workplace sexual harassment – they are afraid to report their boss for fear of losing their jobs.
Harassment happens at all levels of employment and is never okay. It can adversely affect a person’s ability to make a living and it can be detrimental to their emotional and psychological health.
What Are Your Options?
Regardless of where you work in the state of California, you should feel safe in the workplace. If you have experienced or are currently experiencing sexual harassment at work, we are here for you. At Rager & Yoon – Employment Lawyers, our knowledgeable and experienced team is ready to help you hold those responsible accountable for their actions. We will work diligently to secure the compensation you deserve. If you need a Los Angeles sexual harassment attorney, you can contact us by clicking here or calling us at 310-527-6994 for a free consultation.