Workplace Sexual Harassment Lawyers

Learn How to Handle Sexual Harassment In The Workplace from Our Employment Attorneys

You deserve to feel safe, respected, and dignified at your place of work. This is true no matter who you are, where you work, or what your job may be,

Sadly, however, this may not be the case due to sexual harassment that has taken place or continues to take place at work.

If this is the situation you’re facing, the sexual harassment attorneys at Zipin, Amster & Greenberg want to help you. Let us identify what sexual harassment is, what protections are in place against it, and what you should do if you are the victim of it.

Compassionate Sexual Harassment Lawyers

Having helped past victims of sexual harassment, our attorneys understand how delicate these matters can be. Additionally, we know what a massive toll these situations can take on you and your family.

Knowing all that you’re facing, we’re ready to provide the compassionate legal help you need. Let us deliver the guidance you deserve to get you through this difficult time and receive justice.

How Does the Law Define Workplace Sexual Harassment?

According to the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), sexual harassment can involve unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

Sexual harassment is not restricted to a male superior harassing a female employee. A female supervisor can sexually harass a male employee or a female employee, and vice versa. Thus, the victim does not need to be of the opposite sex.

Additionally, the victim does not have to be the person harassed. Instead, it could be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.

There are two main categories of sexual harassment: “Quid pro quo” harassment, and harassment involving a hostile work environment.

Quid Pro Quo Harassment

Quid pro quo harassment occurs when an employment decision is directly attached to a sexual demand.

The most obvious example would be a boss offering an employee a promotion or job if the employee sleeps with the boss.

However, quid pro quo harassment also comes in less blatant and explicit forms. For example, a supervisor may hint at a promotion in exchange for after-work drinks, while also implying a negative performance review if an employee doesn’t engage in casual flirting.

Another example is of a supervisor making veiled threats about job security if an employee rejects unwanted attention, even though they haven’t explicitly asked for sexual favors.

However, any professional advancement, benefit, or advantage in exchange for or in expectation of a sexual favor is illegal.

Hostile Work Environment

A hostile work environment can involve unwelcome conduct that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work atmosphere.

Specific demands and offers are not required in order to establish hostile work environment sexual harassment.

Rather, inappropriate comments, music, or posters, even if they are intended to be jokes, can rise to the level of sexual harassment if the conduct is sufficiently severe and pervasive.

For a hostile environment to be considered a form of sexual harassment, however, it must be hostile not only to the individual offended, but also to a reasonable person.

Your Protections Against Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is a special kind of workplace discrimination. Rooted in gender discrimination, the courts have, over time, broadened the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect against inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.

As a result, workers have protections against sexual harassment across the country. This includes protections to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotions, and termination.

Additionally, individual states also have various protections in place against sexual harassment.

For example, the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act (FEPA) prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace for employers with 15 or more employees.

Virginia also prohibits sexual harassment in the Virginia Human Rights Act, or VHRA, as do human rights laws in Washington D.C.

Our attorneys are ready to explain how each law can be used to protect you with your workplace sexual harassment case.

Steps to Take if You Are a Victim of Sexual Harassment

Victims of sexual harassment often feel a mix of negative emotions that can prevent them from taking the needed action that will help them improve their situation and get justice.

For example, they may feel embarrassed or ashamed from the comments made to them or from the unwanted touching of their body. They may also feel that they should remain silent and ignore what took place in order to keep their job.

If you’re the victim of sexual harassment, however, taking action is the only way to get the justice you deserve.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Document the Harassment

Save copies of emails, texts, or other evidence against the harassers. Keep detailed records of every incident, including dates, times, and locations of the harassment. Additionally, write down the names of those involved, including any witnesses.

2. Report the Harassment

Your company likely has specific procedures for reporting harassment. This may involve notifying your supervisor or HR department and submitting a written complaint.

This may be the most difficult step, since you may have to address what has transpired to the person responsible for it.

However, it is necessary to do this in order to establish what has transpired. Doing so will provide needed evidence for any potential legal actions that may need to take place.

In addition, remember that any retaliation is illegal under federal law. That means you are legally protected from being negatively affected from reporting sexual harassment.

3. Seek Legal Advice

If your employer fails to adequately address the problem or retaliates against you, legal action may be necessary.

The sexual harassment attorneys at Zipin, Amster & Greenberg are ready to help you understand your rights and determine the best course of action. Additionally, we can assist with filing complaints, negotiating settlements, or pursuing litigation if necessary.

4. Take Care of Your Mental Health

Being the victim of sexual harassment can make you feel helpless, demeaned, and worthless. This can take a significant toll on your emotional well-being.

However, seeking support from a counselor or joining a support group may help you navigate this challenging time, as well as give you the strength needed to right the wrong and help you receive the justice you deserve.

What Sexual Harassment Victims May Be Entitled to Receive

Some victims of workplace sexual harassment aren’t able to resolve matters through employer channels or mediation. If this is what you’re facing, you may have the option to pursue legal action.

Potential remedies include:

• Compensatory Damages – You may be due financial compensation for emotional distress, medical expenses, and lost wages that resulted from the sexual harassment you experienced at work.
• Punitive Damages – You may be awarded punitive damages as a penalty designed to punish the employer for egregious misconduct.
• Reinstatement – Since any sort of retaliation for reporting sexual harassment is illegal, you may be reinstated to your position if you were terminated as a result of reporting what occurred.

The sexual harassment lawyers at Zipin, Amster & Greenberg are ready to examine your unique case in order to help you understand what potential compensations and remedies you may be entitled to receive.

Still Have Questions About Sexual Harassment in the Workplace?

While there are numerous state and federal laws in place to protect every worker, you may not be sure if they apply in your situation. Additionally, each sexual harassment case is unique.

The attorneys at Zipin, Amster & Greenberg are ready to use their knowledge, insights, and experience to answer your questions.

Contact Our Sexual Harassment Lawyers Today

If you’ve been the victim of sexual harassment at the workplace, it’s important to know that state and federal laws give protection and power to victims like you.

Let the attorneys at Zipin, Amster & Greenberg provide legal assistance to help you get the justice, remedies, and compensation you deserve.

Fill out our contact form or call us at (301) 587-9373.

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