When the #MeToo movement started in 2017, women began to feel empowered to report what they perceived to be sexual harassment in the workplace. At the Mayo Clinic, this was evident by the large increase in the number of victims reporting sexual harassment shortly after #MeToo began. In fact, between September 2017 and September 2019, staff at the clinic reported 153 cases of alleged sexual harassment, with 88 of those substantiated. Should you feel you are a victim of sexual harassment, contact our employment attorney Los Angeles to schedule a meeting.
Examples of Harassment
When reporting sexual harassment that occurs on the job, victims had many different examples. While almost 80 percent involved unwanted sexual advances or comments, other incidents involved inappropriate emails or text messages, unwanted touching, or other unwelcome advances. Should you experience any of these situations, consult with a sexual harassment lawyer Los Angeles victims trust at Mann Elias.
Increasing Training
To address the problem of sexual harassment on the job, the Mayo Clinic and other companies have instituted active bystander training to teach others how to support a coworker if they witness that person being bullied or harassed. Since policies should always be in place to prevent sexual harassment, it is crucial victims make their supervisors or other high-ranking management aware of the problem. To get additional help solving this problem, seek advice from a Los Angeles work harassment attorney at Mann Elias. By doing so, you can hire an experienced sexual assault lawyer in the workplace who handles such cases on a regular basis.
Reporting a Complaint
When you have made supervisors and others aware of the problem and have exhausted all resources within your organization, you may decide to work with a Los Angeles workplace lawyer in filing a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. When doing so, always try to meet regularly with a sexual harassment lawyer Los Angeles victims trust to gather as much evidence as needed to support your claims, such as offensive text messages, witness statements, and other evidence that may show your complaint is justified.
Increase in EEOC Complaints
At the EEOC, the agency had a 50% increase in lawsuits that challenged sexual harassment between 2017-2018, and also had a 12% increase in the number of charges filed by those alleging sexual harassment in the workplace. If you are considering filing an EEOC complaint, remember that even if the EEOC does not find in your favor following an investigation or fails to believe your initial charges have merit, you can still file a lawsuit.
Never Sit Back and Do Nothing
Finally, never sit back and do nothing if you feel you are being sexually harassed. Instead, schedule a consultation immediately with a Los Angeles work harassment attorney at Mann Elias. Once you do, you can discuss the details of your case with a sexual assault lawyer in the workplace who will listen to your concerns, explain your options, and protect your rights each step of the way.
