Table of Contents
- 1 What should you do if you are being sexually harassed?
- 2 What should you do if you feel that you are being sexually harassed at work or school?
- 3 What qualifies as legal harassment?
- 4 Can a company fire an employee for filing a harassment claim?
- 5 What happens if an employer hears rumors about sexual harassment?
What should you do if you are being sexually harassed?
Take Action
- Stay the course. Many women don’t feel like they can report harassment, or don’t want to, because of legitimate concerns about pushback or retaliation.
- Tell the harasser to stop. Do this either as it happens or in a later conversation.
- Build solidarity.
- Talk to a lawyer.
What should you do if you feel that you are being sexually harassed at work or school?
Tell your harasser to stop. If you do not feel safe or comfortable doing this, do your best to make it clear to the harasser that the offensive behavior is unwelcome. Report the harassment to management and ask that something be done to stop it. Report the harassment to a person with decision-making authority.
What qualifies as legal harassment?
Harassment is governed by state laws, which vary by state, but is generally defined as a course of conduct which annoys, threatens, intimidates, alarms, or puts a person in fear of their safety.
Is it difficult to file a sexual harassment complaint?
Although it may be to difficult file a complaint about the sexual harassment that you’re experiencing, it’s important to do so. Failing to report the sexual harassment to your employer can result in the harassment persisting and may also impede your ability to file an effective legal claim in a civil lawsuit.
Is it unlawful to harass a person because of their sex?
It is unlawful to harass a person (an applicant or employee) because of that person’s sex. Harassment can include “sexual harassment” or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.
Can a company fire an employee for filing a harassment claim?
Firing or penalizing an employee because they have filed a harassment claim is also illegal. This known as “retaliatory discharge” or “employee retaliation,” and is prohibited by state and federal laws. Retaliation is any action taken by an employee or a company against an employee because he or she filed a sexual harassment complaint.
What happens if an employer hears rumors about sexual harassment?
If an employer hears rumors that sexual harassment is occurring, the employer must investigate the potential harassment the same as if they had received a formal complaint. This can include hearing gossip from other employees.