California Third-Party Harassment Lawyers: Protecting Workers From Nonemployee Abuse

Employee Rights Litigation For California

Employers in California have a legal obligation to protect their employees from harassment and discrimination that violates their civil rights. Under particular circumstances, this obligation extends to third parties who have a relationship with the employer. Third parties can include customers, vendors and independent contractors. If the employer has control over the third party’s relationship and tolerates harassment, the employer can be held liable for workplace rights violations.

If you have been the subject of harassment by an individual in a business relationship with your employer, call the law offices of Jay S. Rothman & Associates. Our lawyers provide legal advice and representation for clients in communities throughout California. If you feel your workplace rights may have been violated, call us at 855-239-0102 or contact us by email to arrange a free consultation with an experienced California third-party harassment attorney today.

Some examples of third-party harassment include:

• Unwanted physical or verbal advances by a vendor on a delivery or sales call
• Contractor harassment, unwelcome remarks from independent contractors on the job site
• Lewd jokes and inappropriate language used by customers visiting the workplace
• Requests for your phone number or contact information in return for a sales order

Your boss has a legal obligation to stop the illegal harassment against you. If your employer won’t listen to your concerns and do something about it, you should come to us.

Employer Duty And The Case Process

Harassment by a client or business associate is illegal when an employer has the power to intervene but chooses not to act. Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Gov. Code § 12940(j)), companies can be held liable for nonemployee abuse. An employer must take immediate corrective action. This duty applies if management knew or should have known that a customer, vendor or contractor was harassing a worker. Failing to protect staff from this abuse creates the grounds for hostile work environment claims.

When a company ignores outside abuse, our attorneys hold the employer accountable. Our legal team follows a straightforward four-step process to pursue your claim:

• Intake: We evaluate the harassment details and review any reports you made to management.
• Investigation: Our attorneys gather evidence, such as emails and witness statements, to help prove the employer knew about the abuse.
• State filing: We file the required formal complaint with the California Civil Rights Department to secure your right to sue.
• Lawsuit: We pursue litigation against the employer to seek possible compensation for your lost wages and emotional distress.

Executing these steps builds a strong argument against the company.

Common Questions About Third-Party Harassment

This section outlines how employees can respond when their management fails to stop outside harassment.

Can my boss force me to work with a customer who harasses me?

Employers cannot force workers into hostile environments to save a business account. Management must take immediate steps to protect employees. They can reassign the account to another representative or ban the abusive customer from the premises.

What if I am retaliated against for reporting a client or vendor?

California law prohibits companies from punishing workers who report outside abuse. If management cuts your hours or issues a demotion, you can file a separate claim for unlawful employer retaliation. If the company fires you, you can pursue a claim for wrongful termination.

What is an employer legally required to do after I report harassment?

An employer must investigate the complaint quickly and thoroughly. Management has a duty to protect the employee and set strict boundaries with the third party. These actions are designed to prevent further abuse.

Documenting the instances where your boss failed to protect you creates a strong foundation for a legal challenge.

California Customer Harassment Attorneys

Get the legal help you need to protect your employee rights. Call Jay S. Rothman & Associates at 855-239-0102. You may also use our contact form to submit an email regarding your case. We offer a free consultation, and we advance all costs of investigating, preparing and litigating your case.