Los Angeles Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment Attorneys

Quid pro quo sexual harassment exists where a supervisor’s requests for sexual favors are linked to the grant or denial of job benefits, such as receiving or keeping a job, receiving a favorable performance review, receiving a promotion or a pay raise. In this type of employment claim, a supervisor is using their actual or apparent authority to extort sexual favors from a subordinate employee. The supervisor’s request for sexual favors in return for job benefits does not need to be direct or explicit. A typical example is where a supervisor makes a sexual advance and the promise of employment benefits is inferred and not directly stated. When a supervisor engages in such behavior, the employer is vicariously liable even if the employer was not aware and had no reason to be aware of the supervisor’s behavior. Unlike a hostile environment claim, a single incident of an unwelcome sexual advance by a supervisor that is tied to receiving or maintaining job benefits may be sufficient to support a claim. The employer is strictly liable for a supervisor’s quid pro quo sexual harassment.

Although most quid pro quo sexual advances involve a male supervisor and a female subordinate, the law recognizes that a female supervisor may sexually harass her male subordinate and also prohibits same-sex harassment.

CA Sexual Harassment Lawyers

If you think your supervisor is engaging in behavior that amounts to sexual harassment, you should consult with an employee rights lawyer. Our office handles a wide variety of sexual harassment cases. For a free consultation to know your employee rights, just call us at 818.788.1123 or send us an e-mail. After a brief initial intake, an attorney will consult with you right away. If we represent you, an experienced Los Angeles quid pro quo sexual harassment attorney will guide your case and be available to consult with you at all times.