Sexual Harassment Attorney Overview

Lawyer Representation in Employment Discrimination Cases

Everyone deserves to be free from discrimination in their workplace. One of the common forms of discrimination that many people face is sexual harassment. When someone faces consequences to their career because of this type of harassment, they may be able to seek relief through a lawsuit against their employer or the person who harassed them.

If you have been the victim of workplace sexual harassment, it is important to work with an experienced employment law attorney. A skilled lawyer can ensure that your rights are protected, assist with gathering evidence and filing a claim, and help you receive the relief you deserve.

What Is Sexual Harassment?

Workplace sexual harassment includes unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile work environment. Sexual harassment can take many forms, including touching or groping, invading someone's personal space, making comments about someone's appearance, sharing pornographic images or videos, or discussing inappropriate topics.

Workplace sexual harassment typically falls into one of two categories:

• Quid Pro Quo - In these cases, a person who is in a position of authority over an employee may request sexual favors in return for a promotion or raise, or they may threaten to terminate, demote, or otherwise punish an employee if certain sexual actions are not performed.
• Hostile work environment - This more subtle form of sexual harassment occurs when a person experiences mental or emotional harm because of inappropriate behavior, such as demeaning comments or jokes, sharing of sexual information, or unwanted touching.

A person who has been the victim of sexual harassment should be sure to follow their company's policies for reporting the harassment. They may also file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or an equivalent state agency. In many cases, a person who reports sexual harassment faces retaliation (such as demotion or retaliatory discharge) from their employer, in which case they may pursue a civil lawsuit for wrongful termination or other adverse employment actions, seeking relief such as reinstatement to their former position, payment of lost wages, compensation for the emotional distress they suffered, attorney's fees, and an injunction requiring the employer to take steps to ensure that harassing activity does not continue.

If you have experienced sexual harassment while at work, you deserve to have this issue addressed, ensuring that you can work in a safe environment and receive compensation for any harm which you have suffered. A skilled sexual harassment attorney can help you understand your best options for obtaining relief, and they can assist in filing a discrimination claim and bringing a lawsuit against your employer or the person who committed the harassment.