Sexual harassment in the workplace is still a lingering issue not only in California, but in the whole country. It is commonly associated with unwelcome advances that are sexual in nature, which are usually done verbally or physically. However, that is not always the case, as sexual harassment may also involve remarks that discriminate a certain person on the basis of his or her sex. For example, it is considered as such if a co-worker makes an offensive comment towards a female employee about women in general.
It’s easy to suspect that an individual in the workplace—manager, supervisor, or co-worker—is sexually harassing someone. One can quickly point that out if he or she is frequently being shown pictures that are sexual in nature, or constantly being touched or groped without his or her consent. However, there are applicants and employees who know they are being subjected to such, but are not sure of what to do, much less react.
If you are one of those individuals, then it would be best if you act on it as soon as possible. Here is a list of the things you need to do if you are being sexually harassed by someone at work:
• Employees who were subjected to sexual harassment for the first time tend to quit their jobs right away. Doing so, however, decreases their chances of bringing up claims of sexual harassment. If your employer has a company policy on it, make sure that you report it to your HR or any department. Allow your employer to address the matter.
• With regard to reporting an incident of sexual harassment, ensure that your company has a policy for it. Check with your employee handbook and your workplace posters for it; the policy has specific instructions on how to report the incident and to whom the complaint should be submitted. If the person designated to fix such employment issues is the one who has been harassing you, submit your complaint to the next designated one.
• Make sure that your complaint should be written. It should detail every instances of sexual harassment, as well as the dates, locations, and the circumstances that led to these incidents. It must indicate that you are being discriminated or harassed either because of your sex or you’re being subjected to sexual advances.
• If the designated person or department tasked to do something about your complaint doesn’t do anything and the harassment still continues, you can go seek an appropriate employment agency that can help you file a lawsuit against your employer. It could be with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). You may also hire an expert Los Angeles employment lawyers. Typically, case evaluations with these legal counsels are free of charge.
• If the instances of sexual harassment are severe or frequent that it already promotes a hostile working environment, then it may be time to quit. Word of advice though: just make sure you do so if you think your health or welfare is at risk, or you already have obtained a new job.
Everyone is entitled to work in an environment that is free from any sexual advances, let alone acts of discrimination on the basis of one’s sex. As a California employee, you must know that you are protected by various employment and labor laws that prohibit sex discrimination and harassment. Exercising your rights, like doing the things enumerated above, will help you obtain the justice you deserve against the actions of the harasser.
It’s easy to suspect that an individual in the workplace—manager, supervisor, or co-worker—is sexually harassing someone. One can quickly point that out if he or she is frequently being shown pictures that are sexual in nature, or constantly being touched or groped without his or her consent. However, there are applicants and employees who know they are being subjected to such, but are not sure of what to do, much less react.
If you are one of those individuals, then it would be best if you act on it as soon as possible. Here is a list of the things you need to do if you are being sexually harassed by someone at work:
• Employees who were subjected to sexual harassment for the first time tend to quit their jobs right away. Doing so, however, decreases their chances of bringing up claims of sexual harassment. If your employer has a company policy on it, make sure that you report it to your HR or any department. Allow your employer to address the matter.
• With regard to reporting an incident of sexual harassment, ensure that your company has a policy for it. Check with your employee handbook and your workplace posters for it; the policy has specific instructions on how to report the incident and to whom the complaint should be submitted. If the person designated to fix such employment issues is the one who has been harassing you, submit your complaint to the next designated one.
• Make sure that your complaint should be written. It should detail every instances of sexual harassment, as well as the dates, locations, and the circumstances that led to these incidents. It must indicate that you are being discriminated or harassed either because of your sex or you’re being subjected to sexual advances.
• If the designated person or department tasked to do something about your complaint doesn’t do anything and the harassment still continues, you can go seek an appropriate employment agency that can help you file a lawsuit against your employer. It could be with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). You may also hire an expert Los Angeles employment lawyers. Typically, case evaluations with these legal counsels are free of charge.
• If the instances of sexual harassment are severe or frequent that it already promotes a hostile working environment, then it may be time to quit. Word of advice though: just make sure you do so if you think your health or welfare is at risk, or you already have obtained a new job.
Everyone is entitled to work in an environment that is free from any sexual advances, let alone acts of discrimination on the basis of one’s sex. As a California employee, you must know that you are protected by various employment and labor laws that prohibit sex discrimination and harassment. Exercising your rights, like doing the things enumerated above, will help you obtain the justice you deserve against the actions of the harasser.
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