Pennsylvania Sexual Harassment Lawyer >> Workplace Sexual Harassment
Workplace Sexual Harassment
Sometimes the hardest thing about work is not the work you have to do but the sexual exploitation and atmosphere that interferes with your doing it.
What is Sexual Harassment?
Sometimes it is harder than you would think to know whether or not, legally, you are being victimized in the workplace, at school, or elsewhere by sexual harassment. It is illegal to mistreat someone because of their gender. This mistreatment can involve actions of a sexual nature or those driven by the person’s self-described gender.
There Are Two Types Of Sexual Harassment At Work.
There are two categories of workplace sexual harassment: quid pro quo and hostile work environment.
Quid Pro Quo
Quid pro quo happens when someone in a position of power insists that a subordinate endure sexual harassment or exploitation in exchange for:
- Securing employment
- Retaining their position
- Gaining a work-related advantage like a salary increase or career advancement
Quid Pro Quo harassment comes from bosses or managers and involves an unequal power dynamic that results in an uncomfortable workplace atmosphere. Even a single occurrence of this behavior is sufficient to lodge a quid pro quo complaint.
Hostile Work Environment
If there’s a repeated pattern of sexual harassment, it might meet the criteria for the other form of sexual harassment, which includes unwelcome advances ort inappropriate sexual behavior. Persistent sexual harassment from a colleague or supervisor can make the work environment hostile.
If you believe you may have encountered any of the situations mentioned while on the job, don’t hesitate to contact the sexual harassment lawyers at Cross Law Firm. Please contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
What Should I Do If I’m Sexually Harassed At Work?
The first thing you should do is to purchase a notebook and carefully document any incidents, including when and where they occurred, who was involved, what was said and done, who witnessed it, and anyone you told about it at that time. This record will be invaluable if you decide to take legal action or report the harassment. Make sure to report the sexual harassment to your employer or your company’s human resources department following the established procedures of your office. Your employer is required by la to investigate the situation and take appropriate measures.
Familiarize yourself with your rights under federal and state laws and review your company’s sexual harassment policies. If your employer doesn’t respond appropriately, you might consider filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). You may also want to consult with our sexual harassment attorneys to explore your legal options. Please realize that there are severe time-limits to the reporting of these activities, and that if you wait too long you may lose any opportunity to address your grievance.