Sexual harassment is very common in workplaces. On average, nearly half of all women are touched or spoken to inappropriately at work every day. At workplaces in New Jersey, it is illegal if the harasser requests sexual favors, threatens to harm the victim physically or emotionally, or otherwise discriminates against the victim due to gender.
You can consult a Paramus sexual harassment lawyer to help you get a better understanding of what is considered sexual harassment and how it should be handled. Sexual harassment takes different forms in workplaces. And they are divided into two broad categories.
Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment
Quid pro quo harassment is when the harasser demands sexual favors in exchange for any promotion or a raise in pay. If a worker refuses, he or she may be denied a promotion or demoted. Male bosses and their teams may also sexually harass female employees because they believe that women should be subordinate to them.Quid pro quo in Latin means "this for that." The victim may be sexually harassed for a favor that benefits the harasser. The harasser may demand sexual favors from any worker, typically from victimized women workers in exchange for something. For example, the boss may ask for some sexual favors from an employee by offering a promotion or a hike in salary.
Hostile work Environment Sexual Harassment
Hostile work environment sexual harassment is where the harasser's vocal and physical behaviors constitute a hostile working environment. The harasser can create a hostile work environment by using their position to intimidate, humiliate, or offend victims. To be considered, the harasser must create a basis for treating his or her victim negatively on the basis of gender, and that negative treatment must be directed at one employee. "Hostile work environment" simply means an abusive working condition that affects an employee's ability to perform job duties in the workplace. The hostile working environmentmust take place in an ongoing way for two or more days within a short period.
To be considered a hostile work environment, the harasser's behavior must create an intimidating or hostile environment over time, and be based on the victim's gender. This includes many examples like subtly insulting a woman before an important meeting orpublicly making derogatory comments about women as a group in front of others.
What To Do If You Have Experienced Sexual Harassment At Work?
Sexual harassment can take many forms. And it includes pressuring someone for sexual favors, inappropriate touching, and unwelcome sexual advances. Sexual harassment in workplaces can be criminal if the harasser encourages or threatens to inflict harm on the victim. It can also be considered criminal if a victim is forced to witness sexual acts against his or her will.
In many cases, victims do not report sexual harassment at work because they are worried about workplace retaliation. This can be the verbal abuse of a supervisor, transfer to a more dangerous job, or the loss of job. Some victims may feel ashamed of reporting the sexual harassment they have experienced and may worry that they will lose their jobs because of it.
However, if you believe that you have been harassed or discriminated against on the basis of gender, it's important to act quickly. You should report it immediately to your employer or management. In addition, you may also file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). When talking with your employer, be sure to document everything that happened and try to keep notes on emails, memos, and other communications that may identify the harasser or witnesses.Hiring a lawyer is the best way to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive any necessary compensation for suffering from the harasser's actions. A sexual harassment attorney will protect your rights and help you get the justice you deserve.
If you feel that you have experienced sexual harassment at your workplace, there are many options available to defend yourself and receive the compensation that you deserve. You can speak with an experienced sexual harassment lawyer to learn how they can help. A lawyer will investigate the case, gather necessary evidence, and help you fight against the discrimination or harassment you have been through at your workplace.
