Today in California, employees who are subjected to unwanted sexual advances at work have just one year to file a claim under the state's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Assemblywoman Eloise Gomez Reyes and her colleagues believe that window of time is far too short. That's why today, Assemblywoman Reyes introduced Assembly Bill 1870, one of many pending proposals inspired by the "Me Too" movement.
Reyes has proposed tripling the length of time that public and private-sector employees have to file sexual harassment claims under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act, extending the statute of limitations for sexual harassment claims to three years. Assemblywoman Reyes says that it has become clear that California's current rules for sexual harassment are inadequate as a result of the powerful movement of women courageously standing up to end sexual harassment in the workplace all across the country.
Reyes stated that many victims of sexual harassment in the workplace fear retaliation and feel too ashamed to come forward and report it as reasons for why California should extend the time that employees have to file sexual harassment claims. Reyes is confident that her bill to extend the statute of limitations for sexual harassment claims will become law.
Reyes is also sponsoring Assembly Bill 1867, which would require all employers with 50 or more employees to keep records of sexual harassment complaints for 10 years. Senate Bill 820 by Sen. Connie Leyva would prohibit settlements from including non-disclosure agreements related to sexual assault, harassment and discrimination, and would apply to public and private employers.
If you have been a victim of sexual harassment or unwanted sexual advances in the workplace, please contact Bryan Schwartz Law today.
