Sexual harassment does not belong in the workplace. You deserve a safe working environment. Find out how we can help you when your rights, dignity, and personal safety have been violated.
Workplace sexual harassment is not only unlawful; it is deeply personal and traumatic. As local Broward County attorneys, we represent employees throughout South Florida, including those working in and around Pembroke Pines.
No one in Pembroke Pines, whether working at a Memorial Healthcare System facility, a retail store near Pembroke Lakes Mall, a restaurant along Pines Boulevard, an automotive dealership, or a corporate office near The Shops at Pembroke Gardens, should ever be subjected to unwanted sexual touching, persistent sexual advances, explicit images, or retaliation for reporting harassment.
If this has happened to you in Pembroke Pines or the surrounding Broward County area, we are here to fight for your rights. If you reported sexual harassment to HR, sought therapy for anxiety, depression, or PTSD, and were retaliated against or fired by your Pembroke Pines-based employer, your case may be strong.
Attorney Brett Daniel Kaplan stands with Pembroke Pines employees and workers across Broward County to ensure their voices are heard. We hold employers accountable, whether they are large local healthcare systems, national retail chains, dealerships, or service-sector businesses.
Your story deserves justice. Let us fight for you.
What Is Sexual Harassment in the Workplace?
Sexual harassment in the workplace involves unwanted sexual advances, offensive sexualized comments, or nonconsensual physical actions that create a hostile or abusive work environment. It is a form of discrimination based on sex, gender, or sexual orientation.
In Pembroke Pines, this can happen in any type of workplace, including hospitals, retail stores, restaurants, automotive dealerships, schools, and professional service firms. Harassment can come from supervisors, coworkers, clients, vendors, or contractors. It may happen in person, at work events, or through digital platforms like email or messaging apps.
Misconduct qualifies as sexual harassment when it is severe or pervasive, meaning repeated behavior or one serious incident.
Examples of sexual harassment include:
- Unwanted sexual touching or physical contact (groping, unsolicited kisses, massages)
- Comments or remarks about your body
- Persistent sexual advances
- Requests for sexual favors in exchange for job benefits
- Sexual jokes or inappropriate remarks
- Displaying explicit images in the workplace
- Sexually explicit texts, emails, or direct messages
- Retaliation after rejecting sexual advances or reporting misconduct
If you’ve experienced sexual harassment while working in Pembroke Pines, a Florida sexual harassment attorney like Brett Kaplan can help you hold your employer accountable.
What Are the Legal Elements of a Sexual Harassment Claim?
To prove a sexual harassment claim under federal, state, or Broward County law, an employee must typically establish the following key elements:
- Protected Class: You belong to a protected class (based on sex, gender, or sexual orientation).
- Offensive Conduct: You were subjected to unwanted sexual conduct (advances, comments, or physical actions).
- Based on Sex: The harassment was based on your sex, not just general workplace hostility.
- Severe or Pervasive: The conduct was severe (a single, serious act) or pervasive (repeated acts) enough to alter the terms of your employment and create a hostile work environment.
- Employer Notice: Your Pembroke Pines employer knew or should have known about the harassment and failed to take prompt, effective remedial action.
Types of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment can take many forms. Here are common examples Pembroke Pines employees encounter in workplaces such as healthcare, retail, and the service sector.
Sexual Harassment by a Supervisor
This occurs when a supervisor at a Pembroke Pines-area employer abuses their authority to make unwanted sexual advances, engage in sexual conduct, or demand sexual favors.
Unwanted Sexual Touching
Employees in high-contact industries common in Pembroke Pines—such as healthcare, restaurant work, and retail—may face increased vulnerability to this form of harassment. Unwanted sexual touching includes:
- Groping, unwanted hugs, massages, and sexual battery
- Unsolicited kisses or touching of private areas
Unwanted Sexual Favors
Requests for sexual favors in exchange for promotions, better shifts, favorable scheduling, or job security are illegal. Many Pembroke Pines workers report these situations in hospitals, restaurants, and retail jobs where power imbalances are exploited.
Online Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Online sexual harassment in the workplace includes explicit texts, emails, social media messages, or inappropriate video call behavior. Many Pembroke Pines employees who work remotely or in hybrid positions experience harassment through digital channels.
Sexual Harassment at Workplace Functions
Sexual harassment can occur at employer events hosted at Pembroke Pines venues, such as team outings at C.B. Smith Park, holiday parties at local restaurants, or corporate gatherings at The Shops at Pembroke Gardens.
Sexual Harassment by High-Profile or Celebrity Employer
Pembroke Pines’ proximity to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and the entertainment and sports industries means some employees work for high-profile individuals or executives. Kaplan Employment Law stands with you in holding them accountable.
Laws Protecting You from Sexual Harassment in Pembroke Pines, FL
Both federal and Florida laws prohibit sexual harassment. Pembroke Pines employees are covered by:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992
- Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000
- The Broward County Human Rights Act (covering employers with 5+ employees)
The Broward County Human Rights Act is particularly important for employees at small Pembroke Pines businesses. While Title VII and the FCRA require employers to have 15 or more employees, the county act extends sexual harassment protections to workplaces with as few as five employees.
These laws apply whether harassment happens inside your Pembroke Pines workplace, at off-site events, or through digital communication. An attorney can guide you through your best path toward justice.
What to Do If You Are Facing Workplace Sexual Harassment in Pembroke Pines
Pembroke Pines employees facing harassment should take the following steps:
1. Consult a Sexual Harassment Lawyer
Speak with an experienced employment lawyer familiar with Pembroke Pines workplaces and Broward County employer practices.
2. Locate Your Employee Handbook
Whether you work for a Pembroke Pines hospital, retail store, dealership, or restaurant, reviewing your handbook is critical.
3. Report the Harassment in Writing
Submit your written complaint to HR or your designated reporting contact. Use your work email, especially for large Pembroke Pines employers like healthcare systems or national retailers.
4. Document the Incidents
Keep detailed notes and save screenshots or messages. Many Pembroke Pines harassment cases rely on digital evidence.
5. Cooperate with Employer Investigations
Pembroke Pines employers—especially large institutions—follow structured investigative procedures; participation is important.
6. Seek Therapy and Medical Treatment
Many Pembroke Pines clients receive care from Broward County mental health providers whose records strengthen sexual harassment claims.
Filing a Workplace Sexual Harassment Claim in Pembroke Pines, FL
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Pembroke Pines employees typically file EEOC claims through the Miami District Office or online. You generally have 300 days from the date of the harassment to file. The EEOC investigates and may issue a Right to Sue.
The Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR)
Florida Civil Rights Act claims often benefit Pembroke Pines workers because state law can offer additional protections and timing advantages. You have 365 days to file with the FCHR.
Broward County Human Rights Board
The Broward County Human Rights Act allows similar protections to federal employment law for employers with between 5 and 14 employees.
Sexual Harassment Filing Deadlines in Pembroke Pines
Missing a filing deadline can permanently bar your claim:
- EEOC (Title VII): 300 days from the date of the harassment or adverse action.
- FCHR (Florida Civil Rights Act): 365 days from the date of the alleged violation.
- Broward County Human Rights Act: Contact the Broward County Human Rights Section for local deadlines.
Do not wait. Contact Kaplan Employment Law immediately to protect your filing deadlines.
How Can I Prove My Sexual Harassment Claim in Pembroke Pines?
Evidence may include:
- Screenshots of texts, emails, and social media messages
- Diary entries and contemporaneous notes
- Witness testimony from coworkers
- HR reports filed with Pembroke Pines-based employers
- Medical and therapy records documenting emotional distress
- Performance reviews showing changes after you reported harassment
Employer Defenses and How to Overcome Them
Employers in Pembroke Pines may argue the behavior wasn’t severe, that they acted appropriately, or that performance issues—not the harassment—led to adverse action. Kaplan Employment Law builds strong cases to prove the real impact of workplace harassment.
What Kind of Compensation Is Available for Sexual Harassment Victims?
Compensation may include:
- Lost wages if your Pembroke Pines employer fired or demoted you
- Front pay for future lost earnings
- Emotional distress damages for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and humiliation
- Punitive damages for reckless or intentional employer conduct
- Attorney’s fees and court costs
- Reinstatement to your former position in some cases
Kaplan Employment Law fights to secure maximum recovery for Pembroke Pines sexual harassment victims.
Why Choose Kaplan Employment Law?
Attorney Brett Kaplan has helped employees across Pembroke Pines and greater Broward County obtain meaningful relief in sexual harassment cases.
- Proven Track Record: Results for victims of workplace sexual harassment across South Florida.
- Relentless Advocacy: We prepare every case as though it will go to trial.
- Client-Centered Support: Your story is heard, believed, and fought for.
- Contingency Fees: Many cases are handled with no upfront cost—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Your voice matters. Your case matters.
FAQs About Sexual Harassment in Pembroke Pines, FL
What qualifies as sexual harassment at work?
Unwanted advances, comments, images, or touching qualify as harassment when the conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile work environment.
How do I report sexual harassment at work in Pembroke Pines?
Follow your Pembroke Pines employer’s reporting procedure and submit your complaint in writing. If your harasser is in authority over HR, consult a sexual harassment lawyer immediately.
Can I be fired for reporting sexual harassment in Pembroke Pines?
No. Firing an employee for reporting sexual harassment is illegal retaliation under Title VII, the Florida Civil Rights Act, and the Broward County Human Rights Act.
What if I was harassed by a coworker, not a supervisor?
Your employer can still be held liable if they knew or should have known about the harassment and failed to take prompt corrective action.
What if my employer has fewer than 15 employees?
The Broward County Human Rights Act covers employers with as few as five employees, providing sexual harassment protections even when Title VII and the FCRA do not apply.
Can I sue for emotional distress caused by sexual harassment?
Yes. Many Pembroke Pines employees support their cases with medical records from local therapists and trauma counselors.
How much does a sexual harassment lawyer in Pembroke Pines cost?
Kaplan Employment Law offers a free initial case review. Many cases are handled on a contingency basis—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Submit Your Information to Kaplan Employment Law for a Free Case Review
If you experienced workplace sexual harassment in Pembroke Pines, FL, Kaplan Employment Law is ready to fight for you.
Get started by telling your story and take the first step toward protection, justice, and healing.
