If you experienced sexual harassment in your New Hampshire workplace, you may have reason to pursue a workplace sexual harassment claim against your employer to recover compensation for your losses.
You may have suffered lost wages, lost benefits, and mental anguish as well as other damages. To succeed with your claim, you will need supporting evidence and documentation. You will also need to prove you suffered losses because of the sexual harassment you endured.
What State Laws Protect Against Sexual Harassment?
The New Hampshire Law Against Discrimination prohibits employment discrimination based on sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation, including sexual harassment.
The state law applies to all public and private employers who have six or more employees, so most employers must adhere to the rule. Federal laws, specifically Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, also offers protections to workers in New Hampshire as well as the rest of the country.
What Would Be Considered Sexual Harassment?
A one-time situation would not lead to a successful sexual harassment claim. Instead, you must show an ongoing pattern or a repetitive issue that is not properly addressed or resolved.
Maintaining evidence and documentation to support your claim is imperative to a successful outcome of your case against your employer.
Sometimes the sexual harassment is more discreet than others, so you must be attentive and carefully document everything. It could consist of unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and verbal or physical harassment that is of a sexual nature.
One incident, or some off-hand comments or teasing do not justify a sexual harassment claim. If it is ongoing and causes a hostile work environment, you have grounds for a New Hampshire sexual harassment claim.
How Is It Covered By Law In New Hampshire?
State and federal laws prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace. New Hampshire state laws prohibit harassment based on gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
If you have fallen victim to workplace sexual harassment in New Hampshire, you have grounds for a workplace sexual harassment claim and can ask for compensation for your damages.
State and federal laws also prevent your employer from retaliating against you because you report the illegal harassment or discrimination.
Where To File A Workplace Sexual Harassment Claim In New Hampshire
Talk to your employer if you have suffered workplace sexual harassment on the job in New Hampshire. Document everything and maintain a file of supporting evidence.
Check your employee handbook to see if include your company’s guidelines for filing a sexual harassment complaint. If your employer does not have its own sexual harassment complaint process included in the handbook, get the process underway by meeting with your employer about the issues at hand. This can be done by speaking with a supervisor or with an HR employee.
Document your notification made to the employer, and then carefully note the response or the lack of a response. If the issue does not get the attention needed, you can advance your claim to the government organization that enforces New Hampshire employment laws or federal laws.
This would be a state labor office or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). If they do not get the issue resolved, or if they discover an ongoing pattern, they will recommend you file a federal lawsuit against your place of employment.
How Long Do I Have To File A Sexual Harassment Claim In New Hampshire?
You have 180 days from the date of the incident to file a complaint per federal laws, but since New Hampshire has state laws that also apply, your time limit is extended to 300 days.
If you do not file before the deadline runs out, your claim will be dismissed, and you cannot recover compensation. Start gathering evidence right away and make sure you have the issue addressed and claim underway in a timely fashion.
Getting Help Filing A Sexual Harassment Claim in New Hampshire
If you are employed in New Hampshire and suffered workplace sexual harassment, discuss the details of your claim with an employment law attorney who is familiar with workplace sexual harassment cases.
Employment law attorneys are knowledgeable about both state and federal laws that apply to employment. When you meet with an employment law attorney, discuss the details of their payment options.
Some workplace sexual harassment lawyers require a retainer and charge hourly rates while others take claims on a contingency basis. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form to have your claim reviewed by an attorney who represents workers in New Hampshire
