If you are a doctor and you have been sexually harassed at work, report the incident by following the steps in your employer’s anti-harassment policy. Most hospitals, medical centers, and other facilities have their own harassment policy.
You should gather evidence documenting the harassment and your damages. File a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and seek the counsel of an employment law attorney.
Report the Incident
If you are a doctor and you have been sexually harassed at work, check to see if your employer has an anti-harassment policy. If there is a policy, you should follow the steps of the policy. The policy should give you various options for reporting the harassment, including the option of filing a complaint. If there is not a policy, you should speak with a supervisor. You will need to document notifying your employer as well as how they respond to your complaint.
You can speak with your own supervisor, the supervisor of the individual who has been harassing you, or any supervisor in the company or organization. You should explain what happened in detail, provide copies of any documentation or evidence, and then ask for that individual’s help in getting the inappropriate behavior to stop.
Gather Evidence
To have a successful claim for sexual harassment, you must have evidence that documents the harassment and your damages. You should itemize your losses that result from the sexual harassment you suffered as a doctor while on the job. The evidence that will support your sexual harassment claim as a doctor may include:
- Communication from the harasser, including emails, voicemails, text messages, and others;
- Your complaints and details of the company’s responses or lack of responses;
- Your personnel or employment file;
- Your employee policy handbook and your employer’s written sexual harassment policies if there are any;
- Testimony or statements from any witnesses;
- Any photos or videos of the incidents of harassment; and
- Bills and other proof of expenses related to the harassment.
You must have supporting evidence and documentation to support your claim for it to be successful. The more evidence that you have, the more likely you are to have a successful claim and be awarded compensation for the damages you suffered because of the sexual harassment.
Filing a Claim for Sexual Harassment as a Doctor
When filing a claim, victims of sexual harassment must follow a specific complaint process. If your employer harasses you, or if your employer fails to protect you from harassment, you must file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). You must file a complaint with the EEOC before you can file a private lawsuit against your employer.
The EEOC will investigate your case and they may actually file a lawsuit on your behalf. If the EEOC does not pursue your claim, or if the investigation does not provide the help that you need for your claim, you will receive a Right to Sue letter from the EEOC.
After you have the Right to Sue letter, you may file a federal lawsuit against your employer and ask to be compensated for the damages you suffered because of the sexual harassment you endured as a doctor while on the job. You must have this letter before you can file a lawsuit against your employer. If you fail to file a complaint with the EEOC, you will not be able to sue your employer to recover compensation for your losses.
Get a Free Case Evaluation
If you are a doctor who has suffered sexual harassment while on the job, you should work with an employment law attorney. An employment law attorney is familiar with the state and federal laws that apply to your sexual harassment claim and will investigate your claim. An attorney will help you collect evidence, file the correct paperwork, ensure your claim is filed before time runs out, and help you determine your damages so you can receive fair compensation for your claim.
When you meet with an employment law attorney, discuss the payment options. Some lawyers will charge and hourly rate and ask for a retainer to be paid but some lawyers will take employment law claims on a contingency basis, which means the attorney will not be paid until you win your claim and recover compensation for your damages.
Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to share details about your sexual harassment claim as a doctor, so you can determine the best way to proceed with your claim against your employer.
