3 Ways To Deal With Sexual Harassment In The Workplace – Learn How to Use a Family Law Attorney to Help Your Case
Sexual harassment is any type of unwanted sexual advances from a coworker, both male and female. This can range from inappropriate jokes and pornography in the workplace to sexual assault. It is an equal opportunity offense that can happen to men and women whether they are homosexuals or heterosexuals. When this type of inappropriate behavior does occur, there are a few ways you can deal with it.
1: Document All Harassment
Documenting the harassment is important if you ever need proof to bring charges against this person. There are several ways you can document the harassment.
Keep a detailed journal of dates, times and a description of what took place.
Save any offensive photo, emails, letters or other tangible evidence. Make copies if you cannot keep the original.
Make note of any other coworkers who were present when the harassment occurred.
Jot down how the harassment has affected you in both your personal and professional life.
If you can, get copies of company records concerning your evaluations and other work performance details in case your employer attempts to fire you for filing a sexual harassment complaint. This can prove your good work record and prove the employers intent. Keep all your documents in safe place outside the workplace.
2: Confront the Harasser
While confronting the harasser is not always easy, it is an effective way to let him or her know that you are not comfortable with their behavior and it needs to stop. However, this is most effective if the harassment has not gone beyond dirty jokes, inappropriate comments, or sexual innuendos. Confronting the person and telling them you are not comfortable with his or her behavior is an important first step. By telling the person the behavior makes you comfortable, you are setting the stage in case you need to take more action later.
3: Complain To Supervisors
If the harasser does not stop, or if you are too afraid to confront the person, complain to the supervisor instead. Most companies have a handbook that details the sexual harassment complaint policy, so follow the companys procedure. If there is no company handbook or policy in place, talk to someone in the human resources department at your place of employment.
It is important that you make your workplace aware of the harassment. If you fail to do so, the company does not have the opportunity to stop the behavior, which may prevent them from being held liable if a lawsuit if filed.
If your workplace fails to take any action to stop the behavior, you must take next step, which is filing a complaint with a government agency that enforces these laws, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
If you are dealing with sexual harassment and have taken the appropriate steps in an attempt to stop the behavior, but the behavior continues, consult a sexual harassment attorney to discuss your situation. He or she can advise you on how to proceed.’
0 Comments