SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! CALL US TODAY
Every person has the right to work in an environment that is safe. They should never have to undergo harassment from their coworkers, customers, or superiors. Those who suffer from sexual harassment in the workplace can face several severe consequences as a result.
Loss Of Employment
Unethical job firings are a prevalent response to sexual harassment according to our employment attorney in Los Angeles. Those who have refused sexual advances by their coworker or superior are more at risk of potential firing. Most who execute the advances believe that firing the individual signifies their dominance and prevents the person from filing any complaint with the company.
Loss Of Status
Any sexual harassment lawyer in Los Angeles can tell you that those who refuse sexual advances or call out obscene humor can suffer many work-related consequences. One of the most used scare tactics for victims is demoting them or passing them over for a promotion. This is harmful to the employee’s well-being and their financial situation. Those who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace can enlist the help of a Los Angeles attorney for harassment at work to sue the harasser for lost wages and benefits.
Forced Relocation
Another tactic used by companies to quiet victims of sexual harassment is relocating them to another location. This can be called forced workplace assignment. The result of this is that the victim moves, and the harasser remains unpunished. Relocating is just the tip of the iceberg. In these cases, a workplace sexual assault lawyer will typically sue for lost wages, lost benefits, and reduced opportunities to advance.
Constructive Discharge
Constructive discharge occurs when a workplace situation gets intolerable to the point where the employee was justified to quit. Courts tend to treat this situation as one where the employee is forced to leave. It can be a bit difficult for a Los Angeles workplace attorney to prove this sort of case as it requires lots of viable evidence.
Workplace Retaliation
Any experienced sexual harassment attorney in Los Angeles will reveal that retaliation seems to be one of the most common job consequences that victims of sexual harassment face. Employees who are victims and those who get involved in trying to stop harassment can face illegal reprimand by their employers. This type of retaliation could be anything from reducing available working hours to decreasing an employee’s pay.
Personal Injuries
Victims of sexual harassment in the workplace can experience personal injuries alongside the job-related losses mentioned above. These types of damages can range from serious physical injuries to severe emotional pains. Any Los Angeles workplace sexual harassment attorney will explain that personal injuries can be emotional, mental, or physical.
Men Suffer Sexual Harassment Too
The concept of suing for sexual harassment in the workplace took flight in the 1980s when the Supreme Court officially recognized this form of sexual discrimination. It’s taken decades for women to start reporting workplace sexual harassment and cases to be widely reported by the media. Traditionally, sexual harassment cases were commonly reported by women as men held many of the dominating positions in the workplace.
However, as times have changed, more women are taking on dominating positions in the workforce. This change has revealed, in recent years, cases of sexual harassment being reported by males in the workplace. Sexual harassment should not only be thought of as a potential issue for women as men can be victims.
Defining Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment in the workplace is one of those topics that we all hear about from time to time. However, defining what actually classifies as sexual harassment can be a bit tricky. It can be challenging for many to draw the line between what’s acceptable and what’s not.
Many legal professionals define sexual harassment as unwanted sexual advances, verbal or physical harassment of sexual nature, and sexual favors requests. By this definition, sexual harassment doesn’t have to be a physical action. Instead, it can be verbal in nature. This type of harassment can happen to a person of any gender by another person of any gender.
What To Do If You’ve Been Sexually Harassed In The Workplace
Dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace is a sensitive situation. The best course of action will vary depending on the individual victim and the environment around them. Here are some general things anyone should do if they find themselves being sexually harassed at work.
- Write It Down
The first thing you want to do is document what happens to you. Having a record is a key part of the evidence that is irreplaceable. It’s very easy for our minds to forget things that happened in the past, especially emotional ones. Therefore, writing the incident down when it’s fresh in your mind can ensure you accurately record the unfolded events. - Tell Them It’s Unacceptable
You need to take the time to tell the harasser that their behavior is unacceptable. It’s best to try this approach first when dealing with offensive or obnoxious behavior. Making it clear that what they’re doing is intolerable is a key part of a strong case. - Consult Your Lawyer
You’ll need to report your sexual harassment to your employer or with the EEOC. A lawyer for sexual assault in the workplace can help to file the charges and explain the process. In this particularly sensitive type of case, it’s best to enlist an attorney’s help to be the mediator between you and the harasser.
Sexual harassment in the workplace is a relatively new law area that has come to form in recent decades. There are many helpful sources that a person being harassed can turn to for help in their situation. If you’re experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace, hiring a lawyer is your best option for safe and fair compensation.