The Civil Rights Act of 1964 sexual harassment in the workplace. However, despite the drop in claims over the years, sexual harassment still occurs in some work environments. Everyone in a company should be aware of how to identify sexual harassment, how to file a claim, and how to prevent it. Victims of sexual harassment should consult Queens Sexual harassment Lawyers to know their legal rights and options.
Identifying Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment takes in many forms, so it can be missed or misunderstood for something else. Every employee must know how to identify this misconduct as it can be quite traumatizing and stressful for victims.
Offensive sexual language, unwanted sexual approaches, and verbal and physical actions of sexual nature often constitute sexual harassment. A victim who’s been subjected to this misconduct may file a claim if accepting or rejecting the sexual behavior impacts their employment. Also, a claim may be valid if the behavior creates a hostile work environment.
Dealing with Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
If you have been faced with sexual harassment in your place of work, there are steps you can take. Sometimes, it is best to deal with the abuser directly by telling them politely that their behavior is offensive and must be stopped immediately. Usually, this will stop the harassment without the need to take any further actions because the abuser may not realize their conduct is unwelcome. However, if the harasser refuses to stop, or the harasser is your supervisor and you don’t want to approach them, following your company’s policies on reporting sexual harassment. You can report the matter to your harasser’s direct superior or to an HR representative. Also, you can file a charge and report the harassment to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. If you encounter pushbacks from your employer, talk to an attorney who specializes in employment discrimination to ensure your rights are protected.
Preventing Sexual Harassment on the Job
Prevention is the key to stopping sexual harassment in the workplace. Employers would want to keep this misconduct of their company because it can result in lawsuits, reduced productivity, and bad employee morale. Companies must implement a sexual harassment policy and include this in their employee handbook. It is also a good idea to keep an open communication among members of the company. Every employer should treat all complaints seriously as well as investigate and respond to all valid complaints promptly.