California Workplace Harassment Attorneys

Defending against workplace harassment claims is a critical priority for California employers. When workers make claims, business owners need strong legal help to protect their brand and reputation.

At Coleman & Horowitt, LLP, our team of 24 lawyers defends employers against complex job disputes. We offer private consultations. You will meet with a lawyer who builds custom defense plans for your business.

FEHA § 12940(j) Employer Liability And Defense

Under California Government Code section 12940(j), companies face strict liability when a boss harasses a worker. If a co-worker acts poorly, the employer pays only if management knew and failed to act quickly. Our legal team helps your company prove it met its legal duties to fight these claims.

Following Senate Bill 1343 builds a strong defense. California law requires employers with five or more workers to train staff within six months of hire. Bosses must get two hours of sexual harassment training. Other workers need one hour.

Tracking this training shows leaders took clear steps to stop bad behavior at work. If the Civil Rights Department reviews a charge, we help your team share these records to prove you followed the law.

Our attorneys help HR leaders check these files to build a strong defense. We also assess the boss’s actual power. If the accused person lacked true power to direct the worker, we will fight the claim. This raises the bar for fault and protects your business from unfair costs.

Workplace Investigations And Affirmative Defense Protocols

A quick internal review is your main defense against civil harassment lawsuits. When a worker reports misconduct, California regulations generally require HR leaders to start a fair investigation right away. Good records help the company take the right steps to fix the issue. This cuts off blame for ongoing trouble. Our firm guides employers through every step of this key process.

We help companies use the avoidable consequences doctrine as a formal defense in California superior courts. This legal rule cuts costs your business could have avoided by proving three key points:

• The business took the right steps to stop and fix bad behavior at work
• The worker failed to use clear reporting rules without a good reason
• Using those reporting choices would have stopped some or all of the harm

To build this defense, companies are often advised to keep reporting paths clear and enforce rules fairly. Our legal team guides owners through the review. We gather witness statements and save proof before a lawsuit starts. By showing leaders handled complaints properly, our attorneys help reduce your risk of heavy fines.

Schedule A Consultation

For a private consultation with a California workplace harassment defense attorney, call Coleman & Horowitt, LLP at 559-343-2648 or fill out our online contact form.