Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment comes in many forms, from lewd comments to direct threats. But in any form, sexual harassment is against the law. If you find yourself being sexually harassed by either sex, you may want to seek the help of a personal injury attorney in protecting your rights. You may even be able to receive compensation for loss of income, job opportunities or pain and suffering.

Sexual harassment is a civil rights violation which occurs generally in the workplace. Sexual harassment violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and usually state fair employment laws as well. Title VII applies to private and most public employers, labor organizations, employment agencies, and joint employer-union apprenticeship programs with 15 or more employees.

Sexual harassment may come in the form of:

  • Unwelcome sexual advances
  • Requests for sexual favors
  • Sexual slurs or
  • Physical or verbal conduct of a sexual nature
  • Intimidation
  • Threats against loss of job or professional advancement

Sexual harassment may intimidate the victim, interfere with the victim's work performance, and/or create an abusive, threatening or hostile work environment. While sexual harassment may violate sex discrimination laws, sexual harassment involves specific circumstances that differ from other forms of discrimination. 

Federal law provides that sexual harassment claims can be filed in a variety of circumstances involving unwelcome conduct including:

  •  Sexual harassment by a victim's supervisor, co-worker or agent of the employer
  •  The victim or the harasser may be of either sex
  •  Anyone affected in the workplace by the offensive conduct may be a victim of sexual harassment
  •  The victim may or may not incur an economic injury as a result of the sexual harassment
  •  Sexual harassment lawsuits are decided based on the facts and circumstances on a case-by-case basis

Sexual Harassment Victims

If you become a victim of sexual harassment, or witness sexual harassment in the workplace, you should directly inform the harasser that the behavior is unwelcome and report the conduct to the appropriate supervisor. According to a comprehensive survey by the American Management Association, approximately two-thirds of internal reports result in the harasser receiving some sort of discipline.

Injury Lawyers

If you have been a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, either through direct harassment or through a hostile work environment created by sexual harassment, it may be helpful to discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer.

Injury lawyers can help. Your time to file a claim may be limited. To contact a personal injury lawyer today, call 877-288-7564 or fill out our free case evaluation form and we will connect you with a local lawyer immediately.