California State Assembly District 80 recently issued the following announcement.
California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) is again taking on the issue of workplace sexual harassment that harms low-wage, private sector workers by re-introducing legislation to hold businesses responsible for sexual harassment, assault, and discrimination against contracted or temporary employees under their control and supervision.
“Workers who experience sexual harassment on the job are afraid to report that abuse because they know the law is not on their side,” Assemblywoman Gonzalez said. Assembly Bill 2043, also known as Sandra’s Law, would require a company to have the same responsibility for all workers who are provided by a contractor in cases of sexual harassment, assault and discrimination if they work in the company’s usual course on the company’s premises or worksite.
The bill was inspired by the story of Sandra Pezqueda, a subcontracted dishwasher at the Terranea Resort in Southern California who was fired after reporting sexual harassment by her supervisor. Sandra filed a since-settled lawsuit against the resort and the staffing agency that placed her there, spoke publicly about her experiences, and ultimately inspired multiple other women to come forward.
“I feel happy that by me breaking the silence more women have spoken out with their own stories,” Sandra Pezqueda said. “They had remained silent, but by seeing me speak out, they have found the courage to speak out too."
Original source can be found here.
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