One of the most common forms of gender discrimination is sexual harassment. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, sexual harassment occurs when an employee receives unwelcome sexual behavior on the job. This type of behavior may involve the employee’s job – for instance when a manager demands sexual favors in exchange for a promotion. Sexual harassment is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 yet it still happens even in this day and age more often than people realize.
What can you do if you are being sexually harassed at work? Although you may feel helpless, there are ways you can combat this behavior:
- Speak Up – Your co-workers or supervisor may not even realize their conduct is offensive to you. Speak with the person and let them know this conduct is unacceptable. If the behavior continues, then you may have to take action. If you still have concerns, call an experienced sexual harassment lawyer and ask questions. You can never be too safe.
- Create a Complaint – Some companies have procedures on what to do if you are being harassed. If the behavior doesn’t stop, follow the steps to create a complaint against the person. If your company doesn’t have a procedure in place, make sure you speak to your supervisor (or, if your supervisor is the harasser, his/her supervisor or HR). Always keep a record of your complaints in case you need them later.
- Take Legal Action – If your company refuses to take any action on your complaints, then you may have to consider taking legal action. It’s best to speak with an experienced employment lawyer to find out what your options may be.
If you are sexually harassed at work, you may feel frustrated and confused. Here at Sanford Heisler Sharp our employment discrimination lawyers have taken on many sexual harassment cases and we are willing to evaluate your case. Contact us today for an evaluation of your case.