Bloomberg Law interviewed Bachman Law principal Eric Bachman to get his take on the latest developments in the major sexual harassment case against tech company Activision Blizzard.
The most recent twist in the case involves a “turf war” between the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). These two government agencies enforce anti-discrimination in employment laws but are at odds about whether the $18 million settlement reached between the EEOC and Activision is sufficient.
The claims against Activision include allegations of widespread sexual harassment. Various federal and state anti-discrimination laws prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace. These laws include Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and many states and local municipalities have laws that make sexual harassment illegal as well. It is important to consult with an experienced sexual harassment lawyer to understand your legal options.
Examples of sexual harassment include:
- Unwanted sexual advances or requests for sexual favors
- Offensive verbal comments of a sexual nature or about women in general
- Physical touching
While anti-discrimination statutes do not outlaw (non-sexual) teasing or isolated/minor incidents, an illegal hostile work environment occurs when the harassing conduct is severe or pervasive and/or if it results in an adverse employment action (for example, being suspended, fired, or loss of pay).
To determine whether harassment violates Title VII and related laws, courts look to the following factors:
- frequency of the conduct;
- its severity;
- whether it is physically threatening or humiliating; and
- whether it unreasonably interferes with the employee’s work
Bachman Law provides one-on-one, resolute, and results-oriented representation for executives facing employment discrimination and whistleblower retaliation. Our goal is for each client to receive custom-tailored advice and individual attention from a highly experienced employment law litigator who has encountered a broad spectrum of employment discrimination and whistleblower retaliation scenarios. Clients will speak directly to a seasoned partner with over two decades of practicing employment law who will navigate the client every step of the way toward the best possible result.
What sets Bachman Law apart is our focus on three fundamental principles: judgment borne by experience, unwavering dedication, and results.
Our key practice areas in employment discrimination and whistleblower retaliation focus on:
- Sex harassment and gender discrimination cases
- Whistleblower retaliation cases involving corporate fraud, airline safety, and consumer products safety
- Age discrimination
- Race discrimination
Before founding Bachman Law, Bachman was a partner in two boutique employment law firms in Washington, DC, and also served in senior positions at the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC). His wins include a $1.3 million jury verdict in an individual employment discrimination case (tried with co-counsel), a $100 million settlement in a Title VII employment discrimination class action while at the DOJ, and a record-setting Whistleblower Protection Act settlement at OSC.
If you have experienced workplace discrimination or whistleblower retaliation, call a top rated employment attorney at (202) 769-1681, or start your preliminary consultation online.