Despite the strict laws in place, sexual harassment continues to happen in the workplace. There are some things that many employees get wrong about sexual harassment, so here are some tips for what to do when you are reporting sexual harassment or filing a sexual harassment claim. You do have protections in place, and when you have the right information, you can protect yourself from workplace sexual harassment.
The 5 Things Employees Get Wrong About Sexual Harassment
Here are 5 things that employees often get wrong about sexual harassment. These are the things that are often misrepresented or believed incorrectly. Review these facts, so you can respond properly and promptly and make sure your rights are protected. You do have limited time to pursue a workplace sexual harassment claim against your employer.
- You are not protected under law. Sexual harassment falls under discrimination with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. That means workplace sexual harassment is prohibited, and you are protected under the law. There are laws to protect victims of workplace sexual harassment.
- Sexual harassment is only physical. Workplace sexual harassment is not always physical. It may include offensive comments, asking for sexual favors to advance in the workplace, showing sexually explicit videos and images, and sexually inappropriate comments. Workplace sexual harassment does not have to be of a physical nature.
- Only women are protected from sexual harassment. This is not true. The law protects everyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. There is not bias towards one gender or gender identity. Anyone can be the victim of workplace sexual harassment and it can take a variety of forms.
- There is nothing else you can do after reporting sexual harassment to your employer. If you report sexual harassment to your employer and nothing changes or happens, you can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). They will investigate your claim and determine the best way to proceed with the matter.
- You don’t need an attorney to file your claim. Enlisting legal representation can be a big help to the success of your claim. A lawyer will know the applicable laws and gather the supporting evidence that you need for your claim to prevail.
Enlist Legal Help
If you have been the victim of workplace sexual harassment, you should enlist the help of an employment law attorney who is experienced in workplace sexual harassment. When you meet with an attorney, discuss payment options because some workplace sexual harassment attorneys require a retainer to be paid and charge an hourly rate while others take such cases on a contingency basis. You do have a limited time to pursue a claim, so complete the Free Case Evaluation Form to share the details with a workplace sexual harassment attorney who represents clients in your area. You should act promptly because there is a statute of limitations for pursuing a claim against your employer.
