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California Employment Law Glossary

Employer Liability for Harassment
Workplace Harassment

 

Definition


 

In California, employers face strict liability for harassment committed by supervisors - meaning the company is responsible regardless of whether it knew about the conduct or took any steps to prevent it. For coworker harassment, employers are liable if they knew or should have known and failed to take prompt, appropriate corrective action. Employers may also be held liable for harassment by non-employees such as clients, vendors, or contractors if the employer fails to act.


Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, generally. California holds employers strictly liable for harassment committed by supervisors, regardless of whether the company knew about it.

For coworker or third-party harassment, your employer becomes liable once it knew or should have known about the conduct and failed to take prompt corrective action.

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California employers can and must be held accountable for workplace harassment. Get a free case review to find out your options.
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This glossary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship with Lawyers for Employee and Consumer Rights. Laws change - for advice specific to your situation, contact our office for a free case review.