SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual Harassment is generally of two types: Quid Pro Quo Sexual
Harassment and Hostile Environment Sexual Harassment. Quid Pro Quo
sexual harassment occurs when an employer or supervisor demands sexual
favors in exchange for raises, promotions, or other perks, or threatens an
employee for failure to provide sexual favors. The fact that you may have given
in to those demands does NOT mean that you have no case. The key is that
the sexual advances are unwanted. The fact that a person provides sexual
favors in an effort to save his or her job may nonetheless pursue a case of
sexual harassment.
Hostile Environment sexual harassment occurs when the working
environment is made hostile because of its sexual nature. You may have a
claim for Hostile Environment Sexual Harassment if your working environment
is made intolerable by photos, comments, jokes, or other acts of an offensive
sexual nature, including physical touching or attempted rape. Where there is
Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment there is invariably a Hostile Environment as
well, but the fact that there has not been a direct request for sexual favors does
not mean that there is no Hostile Environment.
Does You Employer Have A Sexual Harassment Policy?
Check your employee handbook to see if your employer has a sexual
harassment policy. If it does, it should tell you who to complain to. Generally,
complaints cannot be kept secret from the person about whom you are
complaining though you should request that it not be made general public
knowledge. You can reasonably expect that your employer will implement its
sexual harassment policy in good faith. But if it fails to do so, The Alder Law
Firm can help you to pursue your case.
Retaliation
You might be concerned that your employer will retaliate against you for
complaining of sexual harassment. Any retaliation is illegal and can lead to
very large jury verdicts. Because retaliation can be even more dangerous,
employers tend to treat complaints of sexual harassment carefully. And any
retaliation by your supervisor should also be immediately reported.
Proving Your Case
If you are being harassed with verbal comments, it may be helpful to get them
on tape. Be aware that recording a conversation without everyone's
permission may be illegal in your state. Keep copies of sexually explicit
e-mails, letters, photos, or other tangible items. If there are drawings on
furniture or other items that you cannot keep, take photographs of them. These
will help your employer address the problem as well. You should also be
aware who might have witnessed the sexual harassment because what these
people say later will be important.
Sexual harassment and retaliation are serious things and at The Alder Law
Firm we take them seriously. No one should have to work under the cloud of
sexual harassment and it is our mission to help you fight it. If you are being
subjected to sexual harassment you need to take the proper actions.
Remember, an employment lawyer is a sexual harassment lawyer and The
Alder Law Firm is here to help.
Contact Us
info@thealderlawfirm.com
| Home I Employment Law I Sexual Harassment I Discrimination EEOC & THRC I Attorney Profile I Contact Us |
THE ALDER LAW FIRM 1-800-706-7863
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |