Sexual harassment is one of the worst problems in modern society. Unfortunately usually aimed at women, it is a tough thing for anyone to have to go through, especially in the workplace. It can cause great discomfort, fear, and even danger to a person who is going through it.
What do you do if you are sexually harassed at work? There are a few key steps to take, which we are going to walk you through right now. If you have been harassed at work, follow this short guide and make sure it is ended straight away.
Sexual Harassment Definition in the Workplace
Sexual harassment is any kind of discrimination based on your sex or gender. When speaking with this lawyer who specializes in sexual harassment we were told that sexual harassment comes in many forms. Verbal, mental, physical, and emotional abuse can all play a part in a harassment case.
While cases range from inappropriate jokes to much more serious incidents such as rape or attempted rape, they should all be treated very seriously. In the case of harassment at the workplace, sometimes it can involve pay inequality, genders being left out of team activities or bullied, or jobs not being given to people based on their sex. As we say, cases range from bullying to physical abuse, but none should be tolerated.
Report It to Your Employer
It is very important that you report any kind of sexual abuse or harassment at work to your employer immediately, especially if you have already asked the perpetrator to stop their behavior and they won’t. Of course, if you do not feel comfortable confronting your harasser you can go straight to your employer to make a complaint. Your company should have a policy and set of rules to follow in a case like this. Hopefully, due to this, you will get the kind of help you deserve straight away.
Seek Legal Representation
If you do not get the help and support you need from your employer, you will want to reach out to a specialist sexual harassment lawyer. As we mentioned earlier, these lawyers are the top experts in the field and will be able to offer the best advice and support through any potential legal proceedings. Most lawyers are happy to meet with you for free to initially discuss your case, so don’t be afraid to reach out and seek advice from a decent local firm.
Make Sure You Have Evidence
All the way through this, you need to be keeping evidence. Every time the harassment takes place, every time you speak to your employer, every complaint you make. All of these things need to be recorded in order to help you build the strongest possible case against your aggressor. Without evidence, cases often descend into “he said, she said” which can be a hard case to fight.
Hopefully, you never need this advice, but if you do, these are the right steps to take. Never let a sexual harasser get away with it. Make sure you do everything to stop them.
