Knowing how to report workplace sexual harassment in San Diego, CA, can help you overcome overwhelming feelings and an unhealthy work environment. Sexual harassment can be a very stressful experience, especially for employees working near downtown San Diego, Mission Valley, and La Jolla. When inappropriate behavior happens to you, understanding the right reporting steps helps protect your job, your health, and your legal rights.

An experienced San Diego sexual harassment attorney from Jimenez Loayza, APC, can help you navigate reporting procedures and avoid mistakes that could weaken your claim. Our firm focuses exclusively on employment law and represents workers throughout San Diego County facing harassment and retaliation.

How Is Sexual Harassment Defined in San Diego

A 2024 California MeToo report found 20% of women and 7% of men reported experiencing sexual threats or coercive behavior at work, showing how frequently sexual harassment laws are violated in California. Under state law, sexual harassment includes unwelcome conduct based on sex that creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive work environment.

California recognizes several forms of workplace sexual harassment, including:

• Unwanted sexual comments or advances, whether verbal or written
• Repeated romantic or sexual requests after rejection
• Sexual jokes, gestures, or digital messages that interfere with work performance

If this behavior feels familiar, Jimenez Loayza, APC, can help you understand whether it qualifies as unlawful harassment. Contact our team today and speak with an experienced San Diego sexual harassment attorney who understands your case and works for you.

Deadlines for Filing a Sexual Harassment Claim in California

According to a 2025 Sexual Violence Data Brief from Prevent Connect, 11.3% of men in the United States have experienced verbal sexual harassment at work during their lifetime, showing that harassment at the workplace doesn’t affect just women. Because sexual harassment can happen to anyone at any time, California enforces strict reporting deadlines to ensure claims are investigated promptly while evidence is still available.

Knowing timelines and how to file your sexual harassment case allows you to do so without restrictions or missed deadlines. Employees reporting sexual harassment can protect their claims by taking the following actions as quickly as possible:

• Filing a complaint
• Preserving messages, schedules, or witness names
• Hiring an attorney to avoid missed deadlines or retaliation

If sexual harassment deadlines are unclear or overwhelming to you, Jimenez Loayza, APC, can guide you through the reporting process. Contact us today and learn how to overcome obstacles that might prevent you from staying safe at work.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Sexual Harassment?

A 2023 Workplace Harassment and Misconduct Insights study from HR Acuity found 46% of employees fear retaliation for reporting workplace concerns, which often discourages victims from coming forward. Not reporting can make things worse for yourself or your coworkers. A San Diego sexual harassment attorney understands how harassment claims can impact both employees and employers when misconduct is ignored in workplaces across San Diego, CA.

When you know who can be held liable for sexual harassment, you can navigate through your sexual harassment case with clarity and confidence. Parties that may be held responsible for workplace sexual harassment include:

• Employers who fail to prevent or correct harassment
• Supervisors and managers who engage in or allow misconduct
• Third parties, such as customers or vendors, under certain circumstances

Why You Should Hire a Sexual Harassment Lawyer

When you report sexual harassment, the process involves more than just submitting a complaint. Mistakes can expose you to retaliation or claim denial. Working with an experienced San Diego sexual harassment attorney ensures your report is handled correctly and your rights are protected.

Jimenez Loayza, APC, focuses on employment law and provides focused legal guidance from day one. Founding attorney Marisol Jimenez has been recognized as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” from 2021 through 2025 and received the 2024 Rising Star Award from the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, as well as the Pro Bono Publico Award from Casa Cornelia Law Center for her community service.

Co-founder Francisco Loayza has been selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2023 through 2025 and earned honors, including Outstanding Legal Writing from the National Order of Scribes and the Diane Ethics Award during his legal training.

FAQs

What Should You Do When Someone Sexually Harasses You at Work?

When someone sexually harasses you at work, document what happened as soon as possible. Include the date or dates of your instances, along with any witnesses that were there or messages you might have. Report sexual harassment to your Human Resources department or follow your company policy. You can also file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. If you are unsure about what to do, contact the experienced team at Jimenez Loayza, APC.

What Evidence Do You Need to Report Harassment in California?

Evidence you need to report harassment in California usually includes emails, text messages, screenshots, witness statements, performance records, or internal complaints. California law evaluates claims based on patterns of conduct or single incidents. Reach out to the experienced team at Jimenez Loayza, APC today for your free consultation and determine what evidence you have to prove your case.

What Qualifies as Workplace Harassment in California?

Workplace harassment in California is any unwelcome conduct directed at someone because of a legally protected characteristic, including sex, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Sexual harassment in California is any unwelcome conduct that is based on sex and creates a hostile or offensive work environment. Sexual harassment does not need to involve physical contact to be unlawful. Examples include verbal and physical behavior.

What Evidence Do You Need for Workplace Harassment?

To prove workplace harassment, it is useful to have evidence of the behavior and how it negatively impacted your work. If you can get any witness testimonies, that is helpful, but California law does not require direct evidence of intent. Contacting the experienced team at Jimenez Loayza, APC can help you gather evidence and documents that strengthen your workplace harassment claim and keep you protected from hostility or retaliation.

Contact Jimenez Loayza, APC, Today

Jimenez Loayza, APC, represents employees throughout San Diego County with focused employment law experience and personalized advocacy. If you need guidance on reporting workplace sexual harassment, contact us today to speak with Jimenez Loayza, APC, and protect your rights.