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 Hollywood.
No one in Hollywood, whether working at a hotel along Hollywood Beach, a Memorial Healthcare System facility, a restaurant near Young Circle, or a corporate office on Sheridan Street, 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 Hollywood 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 Hollywood-based employer, your case may be strong.
Attorney Brett Daniel Kaplan stands with Hollywood employees and workers across Broward County to ensure their voices are heard. We hold employers accountable, whether they are large local healthcare systems, hospitality businesses along the Boardwalk, national retail chains, or logistics companies near Port Everglades. 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 Hollywood, this can happen in any type of workplace, including hospitals, hotels, restaurants, transportation companies, and professional service firms. Harassment can come from supervisors, coworkers, clients, vendors, or contractors. It may happen in person, at work events, during conferences held in local hotels, 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
If you’ve experienced sexual harassment while working in Hollywood, 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 Hollywood 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 Hollywood employees encounter in workplaces such as hospitality, healthcare, and retail.
Sexual Harassment by a Supervisor
This occurs when a supervisor at a Hollywood-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 Hollywood—such as hospitality, restaurant work, and healthcare—may face increased vulnerability to this form of harassment. This 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 Hollywood workers report these situations in hotels, restaurants, and service-sector 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 Hollywood 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 in Hollywood venues, such as beachside retreats, holiday parties in hotels or Margaritaville, or corporate gatherings at ArtsPark at Young Circle.
Sexual Harassment by High-Profile or Celebrity Employer
Hollywood, FL’s proximity to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, 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 Hollywood, FL
Both federal and Florida laws prohibit sexual harassment. Hollywood 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)
These laws apply whether harassment happens inside your Hollywood workplace, at off-site local 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
Hollywood employees facing harassment should take the following steps:
1. Consult a Sexual Harassment Lawyer
Speak with an experienced employment lawyer familiar with Hollywood workplaces and Broward County employer practices.
2. Locate Your Employee Handbook
Whether you work for a Hollywood restaurant, hotel, or hospital, 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 Hollywood employers like healthcare systems, city departments, or major retailers.
4. Document the Incidents
Keep detailed notes and save screenshots or messages. Many Hollywood harassment cases rely on digital evidence.
5. Cooperate with Employer Investigations
Hollywood employers—especially large institutions—follow structured investigative procedures; participation is important.
6. Seek Therapy and Medical Treatment
Many Hollywood clients receive care from Broward County mental health providers whose records strengthen sexual harassment claims.
Filing a Workplace Sexual Harassment Claim in Hollywood, FL
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Hollywood employees typically file EEOC claims through the Miami District Office or online. The EEOC investigates and may issue a Right to Sue.
The Florida Commission on Human Relations
Florida Civil Rights Act claims often benefit Hollywood workers because state law can offer additional protections and timing advantages.
Broward County Human Rights Board
The Broward County Human Rights Act allows similar protections to federal employment law where employers have between 5-14 employees.
How Can I Prove My Sexual Harassment Claim?
Evidence may include:
- Screenshots of messages
- Diary entries
- Witness testimony from coworkers
- HR reports filed with Hollywood-based employers
Employer Defenses and How to Overcome Them
Employers in Hollywood may argue the behavior wasn’t severe, or that they acted appropriately. 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 a Hollywood employer fired you
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages for reckless employer conduct
Kaplan Employment Law fights to secure maximum recovery for Hollywood victims.
Why Choose Kaplan Employment Law?
Attorney Brett Kaplan has helped employees across Hollywood and greater Broward County obtain meaningful relief in sexual harassment cases.
- Proven Track Record
- Relentless Advocacy
- Client-Centered Support
Your voice matters. Your case matters.
FAQs About Sexual Harassment in Florida
What qualifies for sexual harassment at work?
Unwanted advances, comments, images, or touching, common across Hollywood workplaces, qualify as harassment when persistent or severe.
How do I report sexual harassment at work?
Follow your Hollywood employer’s reporting procedure and submit your complaint in writing.
How Many Sexual Harassment Claims Were Reported in Florida?
The number of sexual harassment claims can vary every year. In the most recent numbers reported by the EEOC, there were more than 5,000 claims filed in Florida, but the number has been trending higher year over year since 2021. It’s important to note that not every case of sexual harassment is reported. We are here to ensure you don’t feel alone.
Can I sue for emotional distress caused by sexual harassment?
Yes. Many Hollywood employees support their cases with medical records from local therapists, psychiatrists, or trauma counselors.
Submit Your Information to Kaplan Employment Law for a Free Case Review
If you experienced workplace sexual harassment in Hollywood, 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.
