Sexual harassment is an issue in many workplaces. The people who experience harassment often feel unable to protect themselves. Many harassment cases rely primarily on an individual’s claims rather than verifiable evidence.
People worry that older or better-established co-workers will receive the benefit of the doubt and their employer will dismiss their complaints. Most people would prefer to have undeniable proof of the abusive behavior they have endured. Is it possible for someone to record interactions involving sexual harassment at work to prove what they have experienced?
Secretly recording someone violates California law
California has relatively robust privacy laws. The state has an all-party consent law for audio and video recordings. Simply put, everyone involved in a conversation must be aware of the recording and give their consent for it to be legal.
Those who make secret recordings as a way to prove the inappropriate comments or unwanted advances they experience at work could end up accused of violating state law and facing criminal consequences. The penalties will depend on the environment and type of technology used, but thousands of dollars in fines are likely possible.
Fortunately, there are other ways to prove what someone experiences at work. Keeping a detailed journal recording each incident as it occurs is one way of documenting workplace sexual harassment. The nature of the harassment and the kind of work that someone does help determine the best way to gather evidence of sexual harassment.
Proving that sexual harassment occurred will be crucial for those hoping to assert themselves at work or take the matter to civil court. It may be helpful to get legal guidance if you have questions or concerns.
