Sexual harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment is unlawful! And in the workplace, you should not accept it or condone it for the sake of an employment opportunity. Sexual harassment causes hostility and stress in the workplace. Unfortunately, sexual harassment happens every day and is not limited to women or workers in certain industries. If you’re a victim, contact one of our sexual harassment attorney for a free and confidential review of your sexual harassment case.
Contrary to popular belief, sexual harassment is not only perpetrated by superiors and does not occur between opposite sexes only. Sexual harassment can be perpetrated by a boss, a co-worker a subordinate, or even a client. And it is irrelevant whether the sexual harassment claims involve same-sex individuals or a man and woman or whether the victim is a man or woman, our New York discrimination attorney will give your case the weight and due attention it deserves.
Sexual harassment in the place of work commonly occurs in either of the two forms below:
Quid Pro Quo
This form of sexual harassment occurs when an employee is forced to tolerate and submit to various sexual advances so as to be granted promotion or salary raise, keep their job or be the recipient of any other job-related benefits. The objection to these sexual advances by the victim normally results in them suffering employment-related consequences.
Hostile Work Environment
In this form of sexual harassment, an employee’s ability to perform his/her duties is affected or interfered with by the presence of sexually discriminatory actions and sexually offensive communication in the workplace. These claims can take the shape of inappropriate language and lewd remarks, offensive comments, and abusive behavior.
If the above definitions are a description of experiences at your workplace, then you are a victim of NYC sexual harassment. Get in touch with our New York discrimination attorney and together let us get you the justice you deserve.
NYC Sexual Harassment Retaliation
The no.1 reason why sexual harassment in the workplace goes unreported by victims is the fear of losing the job. And while it is understandable fear, it is important to note and remember that law through the New York City Human Rights Law, the New York State Human Rights Law and the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, protects you as an employee and as a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace.
It is unlawful for any hostile employment directives such as being fired, to be taken against you for reporting sexual harassment experiences or pursuing legal action against your sexual harassment perpetrator. With proper legal representation, you do not need to worry about losing your job; speak up!
If you feel injured by sexual harassment, the law places several obligations on you before you seek legal redress. The first thing to do is to gather evidence and report the harassment to your employer, supervisor, or the company’s human resource department. The next thing should be to contact experienced NYC sexual harassment lawyers who will evaluate your case to determine the probable causes of action available under the law.
When sexually harassed, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Lost wages
- Future lost earnings
- Back pay
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages
- Attorney’s fees and costs
Here are detailed steps of what you need to do if you’ve experienced sexual harassment at work:
Step 1: Collect Admissible Evidence
Sexual harassment claims, just like any other accusation, need to be backed up with evidence that is admissible in a court of law. The kind of evidence you need to collect includes:
- Saving sexually offensive communication in the form of letters or emails.
- Photographing inappropriate notes, images, or displays that indicate sexual harassment directed towards you.
- Documenting lewd remarks and other sexually explicit statements uttered to you by writing them down word for word preferably electronically to indicate time and location stamps of the utterances.
- Taking the statements of witnesses to your sexual harassment.
- Keeping records of any mental health treatments you have received as a result of the sexual harassment.
Step 2: Report the Sexual Harassment Incidents
As a victim of sexual harassment, you are required by law to first report your case to the relevant authority in your workplace. Therefore, it crucial that you do your due diligence in researching your employer’s complaint procedure and follow it when reporting any form of sexual harassment meted to you at your place of work. It is advisable to follow up on your verbal sexual harassment complaints with written reports of the same.
Step 3: Take Legal Action
Should the responsible authority in your workplace fail to put an end to your sexual harassment even after your complaints, then at this point, taking legal action is necessary. The law protects all sexual harassment victims against any form of retaliation after seeking legal address. You, therefore, need not worry about getting fired, being denied a promotion, demotion, harassment, and other poor treatments.
We have a team of highly-trained, experienced, and compassionate sexual harassment lawyers who understands what you are going through. Putting up with sexual harassment can negatively affect your personal life and even ruin your entire career.
Schedule Your Free Case Review Today
Our NYC sexual harassment lawyers devote a substantial portion of their practice to protecting sexual harassment victims. It is your fundamental human right to work in a safe environment, and it is in the interest of all parties that the workplace environment is typified by respect for human dignity.
Have you been sexually harassed? You’re not alone. We can help you stand up against such harassment. Call our experienced sexual harassment lawyers today on (888) 445-0234) or fill the contact form to find out what you can do to protect yourself and learn more about your options for legal redress.