The state and federal laws in the United States prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace, but, even so, many employees report experiencing this type of harassment from co-workers, managers, or employers. If you are in a similar situation, it is advisable that you search online “sexual harassment lawyer near me,” get legal representation, and take immediate legal measures to end the harassment.
What is workplace sexual harassment?
Workplace sexual harassment is any sexually unwanted, objectionable, and offensive behavior by your office co-workers, managers, employers, vendors, clients, or other personnel. It can make you feel harassed, intimidated, threatened, and unsafe.
If you permit such behavior to continue, the resulting toxic work environment is likely to take its toll on you and the bystanders. It may have an adverse effect on your mental and physical health, affect your productivity, and disrupt your career. Many employees prefer to resign rather than put up with it, but it is essential to understand that you have legal options. Find a lawyer by searching online for “sexual harassment lawyer near me,” and explore these.
What are examples of workplace sexual harassment?
From the legal point of view, it can sometimes be problematic to prove workplace sexual harassment. The perpetrators are likely to claim that you misconstrued their friendly intentions. However, if you have clearly told them to stop with the unwanted friendliness and they disregarded you, their behavior constitutes sexual harassment. Here are some behavioral examples that fall under this category:
• They ask you out repeatedly even though you have made it clear that you are not interested.
• They make aggressive sexual advances and threaten to harm you when you refuse.
• They stare at you and your private parts in an obviously obscene manner.
• They get into your physical space and keep attempting to touch you.
• They subject you to unwanted pats, embraces, grabs, or kisses.
• They sabotage your work and threaten to ruin your career unless you agree to their sexual demands.
• They spread malicious and damaging rumors about your character and behavior in the workplace.
• They target you with creepy, lewd, and suggestive comments, compliments, and jokes.
• They send you pornographic images, photographs, videos, messages, and emails.
• They phone or message you repeatedly and abuse you when you don’t respond.
• They photograph or video record you without your knowledge or permission.
• They lie and tell everybody that you are in an intimate relationship with them.
How to deal with workplace sexual harassment?
You can do the following to deal with workplace sexual harassment:
• Keep a detailed record of the harassment, including what the perpetrator said or did to you, where it happened, and if anyone witnessed it.
• Collect evidence like phone calls, video calls, messages, chats, and images.
• Video record yourself informing the perpetrator in public that you find their behavior offensive and want them to stop it.
• File complaints with the HR department and the EEOC.
• Search on the Internet for “sexual harassment lawyer near me” and file a lawsuit against your employer.
