Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment in the workplace can take many forms and can have many possible remedies. Employers are required to investigate sexual harassment claims and may need to take other immediate corrective action. When sexual harassment occurs, it is important to understand the guidelines and liabilities.
- EMPLOYMENT LAW GUIDE
- » Hiring Laws and Mistakes when Hiring
- » Laws Governing Termination Guide
- ⇒ Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
- » Discrimination in the Workplace
- » Employment Contracts and the Law
- » Freelancers and Independent Contractors
- » Wages and Overtime Pay
- » Suspensions and Demotions
- » Employee Healthcare and Retirement Funds
- » Guide to Employment Benefits
- » Whistleblower's Rights
- » How Can An Employment Lawyer Help You
Are Sexual Harassment Investigations Confidential?An all too common occurrence in the modern workplace is the sexual harassment. This can take many forms, like unwelcome sexual or romantic advances, sexual blackmail, offensive touching, discussions of intimate activities that make others uncomfortable, etc. While there are a number of laws to protect those who complain of such activities, what of those who are accused, particularly if the sexual harassment claim is determined to be unfounded or used as a means of embarrassment or retaliation?
Read more- Avoiding Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment claims are serious business. Employers can be held responsible for the actions of their supervisors, employees and even non-employees like vendors or customers. In order to avoid the substantial liability that they can confront with a sexual harassment claim, employers should take steps to minimize their exposure.
Read more - Best Practices for Sexual Harassment Investigations
Sexual harassment in the United States has had an insidious role in the workplace. Sexual harassment can impose liability on employers on the basis of federal laws or state laws. Employers are required to promptly investigate claims of sexual harassment. They may also need to take immediate corrective action to be sure to stop the harassing conduct.
Read more - Damages Available in Sexual Harassment Claims
When sexual harassment that occurs at work, the victim may not think about what damages he or she may receive from a successful case against the employee or employer. There are different damages possible depending on the individual circumstances. Seeking the best possible remedy for the situation is important for the person at the company or that wants to seek new employment.
Read more - Effective Methods to Reduce Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is a common problem that management usually effectively curbs through certain tactics and practices to ensure working relationships between the sexes of employees and managers. Through these strategies employed throughout the company, it is possible to reduce instances of sexual harassment and any legal claims that may arise.
Read more - Gradual Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
In general cases, sexual harassment is a quick and obvious action that another employee, employer or management may initiate against someone that works at or works with the company. This is not always the case, and a gradual progression into the sexual harassment may become difficult to spot until the other party may feel he or she enters into the circumstances willingly.
Read more - How to Deal with Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment is usually defined by Courts and employers using the definition of sexual harassment contained in the guidelines of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This language has also formed the basis for most state laws prohibiting sexual harassment. The guidelines define sexual harassment as:
Read more - Navigating Sexual Harassment Claims as a Small Business
Small business owners must carefully navigate the claims where sexual harassment occurs, the employees affected and the factors that lead to the claims. If small business employers do not handle these cases with caution, a lawsuit is likely and can cost the company greatly because the owner did not accomplish the necessary action.
Read more - Sexual Harassment at Work - Does a Claim Require an Intent to Offend?
Sexual harassment is a type of sex discrimination that is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and a number of various state laws. In some situations, an employee or supervisor may make a comment or perform other conduct without intending to harass an alleged victim. However, courts can evaluate the entire circumstances to determine if this conduct rises to the level of sexual harassment.
Read more - Sexual Harassment Claim Dismissed-Is There Compensation for Damage to the Reputation of the Accused?
Sexual harassment claims are often difficult to understand when the person filing the report does so with malicious intent or the claim proves false. The victim of this invalid report can suffer because of the damage caused by the reporting individual, and he or she may need to hire a lawyer to seek a remedy to the matter.
Read more - When Is Harassment Considered Criminal in Nature?
Often, harassment is the precursor to worse behavior that leads into a criminal nature when the employee or person decides to take the matter further while still harassing the same person or additional targets. Criminal harassment usually involves physical touching, sexual overtones and possible forced activity with the perpetrator.
Read more - Harassment and Other Legal Threats to a Small Business
It is normally the smaller businesses that fall under threat to certain issues such as disgruntled employees, discrimination cases or attacks from employees through intellectual property violations. Understanding what to look for with a smaller company is vital for the owner to remain in business and assess risks carefully.
Read more - My Ex Harassed and Stalked Me Using His Employer’s Computer. Do I Have a Case against the Employer?
When someone is harassed by and individual through a work computer, it is possible that the employer is held liable in these instances due to the work email, computer and other electronic or network involved. However, it is important to seek the help of a lawyer to determine if there is enough strength in the claim to proceed.
Read more - Professor’s Relationship with a Student - Is It Sexual Harassment?
The Education Department of many states changed policies with various sexual harassment claims by students facing professors’ attentions and through reports since 2011. The institutions adopted policies that can hold a professor liable for harassment if he or she enters into a relationship with a student because of the position of authority.
Read more - When Is Harassment Considered Criminal in Nature?
Often, harassment is the precursor to worse behavior that leads into a criminal nature when the employee or person decides to take the matter further while still harassing the same person or additional targets. Criminal harassment usually involves physical touching, sexual overtones and possible forced activity with the perpetrator.
Read more - How to Handle Sexual Harassment From a Customer
Typically, employees are aware that sexual harassment from co-workers or supervisors is illegal. However, what about sexual harassment from customers? This too is illegal behavior, and employers must take steps to address this behavior. In addition to filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a Pennsylvania employee has several options when it comes to handling sexual harassment from a customer.
Read more - How Does Human Resources Handle Sexual Harassment Claims?
Sexual harassment is defined by the Society for Human Resource Management as unwelcomed sexual conduct that is persistent or offensive, creating a hostile work environment. Sexual harassment is in direct violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and it is something that should be immediately handled and resolved by a workplace’s Human Resources (HR) department.
Read more
