Harassment is unwelcome conduct based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, or pregnancy), national origin, older age (beginning at age 40), disability, or genetic information (including family medical history).
Unfortunately, harassment is typically underreported because harassers often exploit the guise of joking to camouflage their malicious intent, weaving hurtful comments and offensive remarks into seemingly innocuous banter and then use their position to pressure others to acquiesce or laugh at the offensive conduct.
But harassment is no laughing matter. Unwelcome conduct based on the aforementioned protected categories are illegal under California law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, (ADEA), and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (ADA).