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This week, Governor Gavin Newsom signed new California sexual harassment laws that ban forced arbitration as a condition of employment and increases the window for filing sexual harassment complaints.
Similar legislation was vetoed under former Gov. Jerry Brown, who sided with the California Chamber of Commerce who argued that the laws would extend the workplace resolution process too much and be costly to employers.
The legislation also ends forced arbitration as a condition of employment. Many companies require prospective employees to sign away their right to trial and litigation when they commit to their employment agreement. Arbitration clauses are common in employment contracts. Companies like them because they’re less costly and often confidential. This means that their reputations can stay in tact despite a major allegation being leveled at them. For the victim, however, this means that often times they will have a hard time finding an attorney to take their case and that despite winning their arbitration that nothing about the company changes and the perpetrators continue their conduct.
California employees will still be required to submit their complaints to state before they are given the right to file a civil lawsuit against their workplace.
For more information about filing a civil lawsuit for sexual harassment, discrimination, or civil rights, send us a message.
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