In addition to sexual harassment within the workplace, California law also prohibits sexual harassment in business and professional relationships. Professionals working in California can be held liable for sexual harassment occurring in their business, service and professional relationships under California Civil Code Section 51.9.
Professionals covered by this statute include:
physicians, psychotherapists and dentists;
attorneys;
social workers;
real estate agents and appraisers;
accountants, bankers, trust officers, financial planner loan officers, and collection service professionals;
building contractors;
escrow loan officers, executors, trustees and administrators of estates;
teachers;
landlords and property managers;
and anyone in a relationship that is substantially similar to the relationships enumerated above.
