While digital tools have improved communication and efficiency, they have also enabled more subtle and far-reaching forms of inappropriate behavior such as sexual harassment.
If you have been a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, especially with the help of technology, contact our Orange County sexual harassment attorneys today. Call us at (949) 379-6250.
Email, instant messaging platforms (like Slack or Microsoft Teams), video conferencing apps, and even text messages have become common tools for harassment. Inappropriate messages, sexually suggestive jokes, explicit images, or unwanted romantic advances can be transmitted quickly and often leave behind digital evidence. What was once confined to physical workspaces now often follows employees home, blurring the lines between professional and personal boundaries.
This form of harassment—sometimes referred to as cyber sexual harassment—can be just as harmful as in-person conduct. It creates a hostile work environment, affects employee well-being, and undermines productivity. In many cases, perpetrators may believe that because they are behind a screen, their actions are less serious or less likely to be punished.
With remote work now a permanent fixture in many industries, the nature of workplace harassment has shifted. Private video calls and isolated communication can embolden harassers who exploit the lack of witnesses. Supervisors may abuse their position during one-on-one Zoom calls, or colleagues may send inappropriate messages outside of business hours under the guise of informal communication.
Technology can also reinforce power imbalances. For example, a manager might misuse work monitoring software or digital access to employee files to intimidate or harass subordinates. These abuses of digital tools can escalate quickly and may be difficult for the victim to detect or document without support.
If you have experienced sexual harassment online as a remote worker, contact our Orange County sexual harassment lawyers at Aegis Law Firm to discuss your legal options today.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) and state-level laws, such as California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), prohibit sexual harassment in any form—digital or physical. If an employee is subjected to unwelcome conduct that is sexual in nature and severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile work environment, they have the right to take legal action.
Digital evidence, such as screenshots, chat logs, or emails, often becomes a critical part of these cases. Victims are encouraged to preserve all communications and document incidents thoroughly. While employers may claim ignorance, the law requires them to prevent and correct harassment once they become aware—or should have become aware—of it.
Employees subjected to tech-enabled sexual harassment have legal options and an experienced Orange County sexual harassment attorney can be a powerful advocate. They will assess your case, help preserve digital evidence (such as emails, messages, or video call recordings), and guide you through internal reporting or formal complaints with agencies like the EEOC or state labor boards. Your sexual harassment attorney in Orange County can pursue compensation for lost wages, lost benefits, emotional distress, attorney’s fees and court costs, and other damages, while also seeking policy changes or legal action to stop the harassment. Most importantly, they will protect your rights every step of the way—giving you peace of mind and ensuring you are not alone in holding your employer accountable.