You spoke up. You reported the inappropriate jokes, the texts, the looks. And then? Nothing. No investigation. No response. No change. You’re not imagining the silence—and you’re not without options. What can happen to employers who ignore harassment issues is serious, and California law makes it clear: inaction is not a defense.
If your employer failed to investigate your harassment complaint, it’s time to stop waiting for someone inside the company to do the right thing. Now is the moment to take control of your story. At King & Siegel LLP, our sexual harassment lawyers represent employees, not corporations. Our Los Angeles-based legal team has recovered tens of millions of dollars for workers in just four years, and we’re just getting started. If your employer failed to act, we will.
How Does California Law Protect Workers Who Report Harassment?
Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), employers must promptly and thoroughly investigate reports of sexual harassment. In California, an employer must also:
- Provide a clear anti-harassment policy;
- Accept and document complaints;
- Initiate a timely, good-faith investigation; and
- Take corrective action to stop harassment if it occurs.
When your employer fails at any of these steps, they open themselves up to liability, not just for the harassment but also for their failure to act.
What Can Happen to Employers Who Ignore Harassment Issues?
A company’s silence can cost them. If an employer fails to investigate harassment, they may face:
- Legal liability for both the harasser’s conduct and their own inaction;
- Punitive damages for reckless disregard of your rights;
- Compensatory damages for emotional distress, lost wages, and missed opportunities;
- Reputational harm and public scrutiny once the claim becomes public; and
- Regulatory fines or sanctions through the California Civil Rights Department (CRD).
Courts and juries take inaction seriously. A company’s failure to investigate often does more damage than the harassment itself. That failure tells a story of neglect, denial, and corporate indifference.
What Can I Do When My Employer Won’t Act?
If your complaint goes nowhere, do not give up. Instead, take these steps:
- Put your complaint in writing. Even if you reported the issue verbally, send an email or letter restating your concerns. Be specific, including names, dates, and what you have reported.
- Document everything. Record every harassing incident and every time you reported it, especially if HR or a supervisor ignored you. Save emails, texts, Slack messages, calendar invites, and anything else that helps tell your story.
- Follow up. If no one responds, follow up and ask what steps the company is taking. If your employer dismisses you, document that, too.
- Report externally. You can file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). These agencies can launch their own investigation and issue a right-to-sue letter.
- Contact an attorney. A skilled legal team can subpoena internal records, uncover patterns of misconduct, and bring legal action against the harasser and the employer who protected them.
At King & Siegel, we have seen every tactic employers use to delay, deflect, or deny. And we won’t let them get away with it.
How Can an Attorney Help If My Employer Fails to Investigate My Harassment Complaint?
If there is an employer failure to investigate a harassment complaint, it is not enough to know your rights. You need someone who can enforce them. An experienced lawyer can:
- Assess your case under FEHA and Title VII;
- Preserve and gather evidence, even if your employer holds it;
- File charges with the CRD or EEOC;
- Negotiate a settlement or file suit in civil court;
- Pursue damages for financial losses and emotional harm; and
- Shield you from retaliation.
If your employer won’t protect you, we will. We’ve taken on California’s biggest companies and won. With attorneys trained at the top five law schools and a record of success in high-stakes litigation, we provide strategic, powerful representation that amplifies your voice.
Employer Failure to Investigate a Harassment Complaint? King and Siegel LLP Will Fight for You
Let’s be honest; no one wants to file a lawsuit. But if your company chooses inaction, you don’t have to suffer in silence. At King & Siegel, we handle sexual harassment and retaliation claims across California. We speak Spanish. We move fast. And we don’t back down. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation. Your voice matters. Let us help you make it heard.
Julian Burns King graduated with honors from Harvard Law School and founded King & Siegel in 2018. As head of the Firm’s discrimination and harassment practice areas, she champions the rights of working parents and victims of workplace discrimination and harassment. She has been recognized as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers annually since 2018 and has recovered tens of millions of dollars on behalf of her clients.