Your Rights When You Have Been Sexually Harassed At Work
Sexual harassment can take on a number of forms. It is a serious matter in the workplace, and one that needs to be addressed immediately by your human resources department. If you leave a job because of a hostile work environment where you feel you have been sexually harassed, it's important to discuss the details of your case with a sexual harassment lawyer. When you receive unwanted advances or other employees engage in conduct of a sexual nature, this can leave you feeling helpless at work. Begin by talking with your human resources department regarding your concerns. If nothing is done to change the hostility at work, you may be left with no choice but to leave your employment.
Unwelcome Sexual Advances
While it may not seem right, you have to make it clear that sexual advances are not wanted in the workplace if you receive them. For example, if a coworker asks you out on a date and you politely decline, this is not sexual harassment if they leave you alone from that point forward. If the coworker then continues to ask you out, begins to make comments about your appearance, and basically makes you feel uncomfortable at work, these are unwanted sexual advances that merit a discussion with your human resources department.
Understanding Conduct of a Sexual Nature
There may be a casual atmosphere where you work, where everyone jokes around and feels comfortable with one another. While this can make for a great place to work, it's important to understand what conduct of a sexual nature entails. Making comments about a person's appearance, asking for sexual favors, or even telling jokes of a sexual nature all can be considered sexual harassment at work. In addition, sexual conduct involves actual touching, forcing a person to do something they don't want to, blocking an exit, or staring at a person, looking them up and down. If you have had to deal with this type of behavior in the work place and no one helped you to make this stop, it's time to meet with a sexual harassment lawyer in your area to discuss possible outcomes.
If you have left a job because you were sexually harassed, it's important to get an attorney on your side. With the right legal help, you will have an advocate on your side negotiating a possible settlement on your behalf. When you left because the environment was hostile, get the compensation you deserve. For more information, contact law firms like Law Barron.