Sexual harassment cases in the country are growing day by day. Even after having special laws and regulations, some creeps won’t stop. If you experience any unwanted verbal or physical act that made you feel unsafe, embarrassed or offended, you are a victim of sexual harassment. Get on a call with a sexual harassment lawyer Charlotte, NC; he will evaluate your case and guide you for your next step. Let us see what you can do in this case and the laws for sexual harassment.
What can you do if you are Sexually Harassed at Workplace?
- You don’t have to sit in silence and bear the unwanted actions that have been laid upon you. Make it clear by all means to the person that this behaviour is making you feel unsafe and intimidated. Tell him to make it stop upright.
- If the act persists, you should go and report this to the management. Your employer must have a complaint procedure for such cases, follow it, and go to a decision-maker authority for quick action. Gather all the proof you have and a witness,if possible. Make the complaint in writing to your employer and keep a copy with yourself for further use. Before an employer can be held liable for discrimination, they must be notified of the harassment and given a chance to resolve it.
- Remember, it is not your fault. Keep up with your job responsibilities. If you regularly skip work, are late to work repeatedly, do sloppy work, use alcohol or drugs at work, or arrive drunk or buzzed, it will be hard to prove you are a victim of workplace harassment.
- Finally, cooperate with any employer’s investigation against your complaint and use any corrective or preventive measures provided by your employer.
What are the laws for Sexual Harassment at Workplace?
Under state and federal laws for employment discrimination, sexual harassment at the workplace is illegal. Also illegal under some city laws like Spokane, Seattle, and Tacoma. Here is a brief on these laws.
- Federal Law
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination based on skin colour, race, gender, and other grounds. Sexual harassment is considered gender discrimination under Title VII of the U.S. Constitution. Likewise, “quid pro quo” harassment (which means “something for something”) is prohibited, which involves offering employment-related benefits in exchange for accepting the harassment. The law applies to organizations having 15 or more employees.
- State Law
The State Law forbids discrimination in employment based on race, colour, religion, sex, etc. Discrimination includes pay, hiring, firing, promotions, training, layoff, and more. Sexual harassment comes under this category, and the law applies to organizations with eight or more employees.
