Procedures to Follow When Sexual Harassment Occurs

While facing sexual harassment at work may not be something that you’ve ever thought about, it turns out it’s a possibility. We all think that it won’t happen where we work, but it can. Knowing what to do if you are sexually harassed at work can help to ensure the situation gets remedied effectively. Here are the steps that you should be following after harassment takes place.

What Is Sexual Harassment?

Speaking in legal terms, sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual advance or other similar conduct at work that formulates a hostile, offensive, or intimidating work environment. At the lighter end of the spectrum, sexual harassment can be defined as repeated belittling jokes. On the larger scheme of things, sexual assault can be a form of sexual harassment.

As you can see, many actions fall into this type of harassment. Sexual orientation doesn’t play a role in defining who is harassed. Rather, all different sexual orientations can be harassed by others. There are currently state and federal laws that work to protect employees from this type of harassment while on the job. The most well-known law is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. This forbids harassment in the workplace. A Los Angeles sexual harrasment attorney will be able to explain other state and federal laws that apply to your individual situation.

Tell Them To Stop

Your West Coast Employment Lawyers will advise you to tell the offender to stop. While this can initially make you uncomfortable, it’s a very important first step in handling the sexual harassment issue. You’ll want to clearly state that you find their behavior offensive and that you want them to stop. This signifies to the offender that their behavior is unwelcome.

Part of sexual harassment is defined as the ‘unwelcomed’ conduct of an individual. You must notify them it’s unwelcomed so that you can legally constitute their future actions as harassment. If you have trouble facing the offender, you can opt for requesting them to stop in other ways. For example, you can write them a brief letter that states you find the behavior offensive.

Document Your Warning

If you do so, keep a copy for your employment attorney in Los Angeles. You may opt for talking with a supervisor over the offender as well. Whatever way you utilize to get to the offender to let them know their behavior is unwelcomed should be properly recorded so that you can easily refer back to it in a court of law if the need arises.

A good sexual harassment attorney will advise you to keep a detailed journal of the incidents that occur which can be classified as harassment. You should include the names of witnesses to ensure your West Coast Employment Lawyers can contact them in the event that they need testimonies to support your case.

File A Complaint With The EEOC

Before your employment attorney can file a lawsuit against the offending party, you must file a complaint with the EEOC. This is a federal agency that will investigate the case and issue a right to sue letter. You’ll need that letter issued before you can bring up a legal suit against the person harassing you.