The workplace is supposed to be an environment that fosters productivity, creativity, and positive relationships in order to produce happy and hard-working employees. However, unwanted sexual advances and gender discrimination can turn the workplace into a hostile and unwelcoming environment.
Sexual harassment in the workplace can take two forms- Quid Pro Quo and Hostile Work Environment.
- Quid pro Quo is when the terms of your employment, such as pay or promotions, are reliant upon your submission to sexual demands and favors.
- Hostile work environment is when sexual advances and conduct have molded your work environment into one that you find intimidating.
If you’ve been a victim of either type of sexual harassment in the workplace, you should immediately take steps to resolve the matter. Do not hesitate to speak up, as many victims often don’t file a complaint due to fear of retaliation, shame, or even because they blame themselves for the situation. Finding someone with whom to discuss your problems is an effective way of getting the support system you need to take action.
However, you should keep in mind that if action is not taken there is a strong likelihood that the offending behavior will continue. In order to stop sexual harassment in the workplace, you must be willing to speak up and voice your objections to the offending party.
There are times when the harasser is unaware that their behavior constitutes sexual harassment. If this is the case, voicing your concerns should stop the harassment from going any further, but if it doesn’t you’ll need to take additional steps. If speaking up doesn’t yield the desired results you should take care to document the details of any harassment incurred while also gathering evidence and witnesses. Doing this will give you a solid case should you choose to lodge a formal complaint with your company’s HR department or with upper management.
If you don’t wish to file a formal complaint, you can request that a manager or member of human resources aide you in confronting the offender. The manager can either speak to the offender directly or accompany you in speaking to the offender. In cases where none of the above tactics have been effective, you should file a formal complaint to cease any sexual harassment in the workplace.
Your complaint should be personally written and should identify the offender, describe lewd acts that occur, and indicate dates and potential witnesses. Expect your complaint to be received and dealt with quickly and in the strictest of confidence. An internal investigation will provide you with recommended courses of action that you can choose to follow. If you wish to file a lawsuit after the conclusion of the internal investigation, you should seek out Diefer Law Firm to represent you in your case. As specialists in the field of sexual harassment in the workplace, Diefer Law Firm has a large amount of relevant experience to draw on in making sure you’re well represented