Sexual harassment is a major problem in large California corporations and workplaces throughout the country. Hewlett-Packard Co., one of the nation's most successful computer makers, is at the center of a sexual harassment scandal after a letter was released detailing actress Jodie Fisher's allegations of sexual harassment against former HP CEO Mark Hurd. These sexual harassment allegations are often cited as the reason that Hurd stepped down from his leadership role at the company.

"You had designs to make her your lover from the onset using your status and authority as CEO of HP," attorney Gloria Allred wrote in the letter to Hurd, who is now president of Oracle Corp. "At times you would behave professionally seemingly 'getting' that she was not going to have sex with you. At other times, not, and you would relentlessly attempt to cajole her into having sex with you."

Allred alleges that Hurd harassed Fisher at meetings and dinners over a several year period. Fisher was an employee of HP during the time and worked as a greeter at HP events around the world. Fisher's role was to use her star power to introduce Hurd to key customers.

Fisher alleges that she experienced a number of unwelcome sexual advances from Hurd including kissing and grabbing. Fisher says that this continual sexual harassment made her uncertain about her employment status.

"She felt tired, irritated and depressed, sad and mad with the growing unbending realization that her great new job had some major strings attached," Fisher's attorney said.

Unfortunately, this type of harassment is not a rare or isolated event. Many women and men fear retribution from refusing the sexual advances of their supervisors. Many of these individuals therefore go to work prepared to deal with the stress and pain of a hostile work environment. Hostile work environments based on sexual harassment are illegal and an experienced California sexual harassment attorney can help employees hold their employers accountable.

Source: Bloomberg, "Former HP CEO Hurd Tried to Cajole Fisher Into Sex, Letter Says," Aaron Ricadela, Dec. 29, 2011