Every employee deserves to perform their job duties in a safe, comfortable environment where hostility does not exist. Also, they deserve to be free from harassment, regardless of their sexual identity or gender.  However, workplace harassment is pervasive. If workplace sexual harassment is interfering with your ability to perform your job, you should seek advice from a lawyer from The Law Office of Jeffrey A. Goldberg. Your attorney will hold the offender liable for their intimidating behavior, so you can gain back your confidence.

Understanding Sexual Harassment

A work environment can become hostile if there is a pattern of serious, unwelcome, or pervasive conduct in the workplace directed toward a worker because of their sex. Workplace sexual harassment can also exist on a quid pro quo basis that includes threatening to terminate a worker’s employment if the complaint about sexual harassment or promising a promotion in exchange for sexual favors. Sexual harassers in workplaces can include employers, managers, employees, customers, and vendors. Workplace sexual harassment can be physical, written, verbal, or photographic.

What’s a Hostile Work Environment?

A hostile work environment includes abusive, pervasive, serious, and intimidating conduct based on the gender, sexual characteristics, and gender identity of the worker. It is created as a result of physical touching by coworkers, unwelcome advances, and unwelcome comments. It exists when a worker, regardless of their position, is intimidated, threatened, or uncomfortable.

When to Hold the Employer Responsible

Whether or not an employer can be held responsible for the creation of a hostile work environment depends on some factors. An employer can be responsible if somebody who can recruit, disclike, promote, fire, or direct a worker is the offender. This includes a CEO, a company officer, or supervisor. Also, the employer can be held responsible for sexual harassment if they knew about the misconduct and did not take action to correct it and protect the victim.

Every company must implement a harassment policy that lets workers file a formal complaint when somebody in the workplace displays hostile behavior. Also, there should be procedures in place to investigate complaints, so prompt action can be taken to protect the workforce from abuse.

Protecting Your Rights as a Sexual Harassment Victim

If you are subjected to workplace sexual harassment, call an attorney immediately, so you can make informed decisions regarding your case’s direction. Your attorney will advise you to inform your employer or HR about the sexual harassment. If either party does not address your complaint quickly and effectively, your attorney may suggest that you take legal action.