Reports show that there has been a steady increase in sexual harassment cases in the United States. 45% of women claim to have sexually assaulted or harassed in the workplace whereas 14% of men have come forward to accept the same. Taking advantage of someone who is need of job by a superior is not new. Many times, we hear a case where a manager or a supervisor tried to take advantage of an employee in return for some favor. A capable workplace harassment lawyer can get you the help that you need.
Studies clearly show that working in a hostile work environment can cause serious health issues. Mental stresses, anxiety, frequent visit to some counsellor and spending money on pills are the common consequences of one’s inability to deal with the workplace environment. Fear of losing a job as one is need of money can force one to keep working in an environment which is endangering one’s safety.
Most studies show that women are more frequently sexually harassed than men but, historically, everyone is at risk of experiencing some form of sexual harassment at work. Wouldn’t you agree that a company or organization that cannot protect its employees and their work environment should bear the consequences of its staff undergoing such experiences? To use a comparison, if someone is injured in your home – are you not liable, in most cases, for their injury and recovery? Similarly, an employee trusts that their place of work is properly equipped to ensure that, for example, the fire alarms work. And if they do not and a fire occurs at work that leads to injuries – shouldn’t the company be held liable? Employee safety is a matter of serious concern and it goes beyond physical damage. Psychological damages by way of harrassment in any form merits compensation. And Kirakosian Law, is proud to have helped many people get just compensation per their rights as employees.
According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the United States recognizes two kinds of workplace harassment claims:
- Quid pro quo: As the name suggests, an exchange of something in return for another thing, your superior may ask you for sexual favors in exchange for any work or career benefit. This is without a doubt harassment. If you are asked to have any sort of sexual exchanges (physical, verbal, via text, etc.) at your workplace with a person with some authority over you, you may be a victim of sexual harassment. If you have experienced anything remotely similar, be sure to meet with lawyers who specialize in harassment and discrimination to get the information you need to understand your options.
- Hostile work environment: Another type of lawsuit that we often see and that the US government recognizes as harassment is known as a hostile work environment. This can vary greatly in circumstance and you can read more about it here: An Overview of Workplace Harassment in California
Your options if you feel you are a victim of sexual harassment
Often people stay silent and continue to tolerate inappropriate behavior at the workplace. Yes, we all need a work, sustenance and income so that we may have quality of life for ourselves and families. But by no means does that mean that it must come at the cost of one’s mental health while undergoing abuse. Sexual harassment and mistreatment in general should be addressed as soon as possible. Some tips to keep in mind if you feel you are being sexually harassed at work:
- Take notes and log everything down
- Make sure your notes include dates, times and names
- Make an effort to talk to someone at your workplace who may assist in the matter and will officially log it
- Even if your workplace makes efforts to amend the situation, you may be still entitled for compensation
- Always talk to an attorney in doubt
Any decent workplace harassment attorney will at least help you understand this. At Kirakosian Law, we have a team led by Greg Kirakosian that will listen to your problem with attention, sensitivity and patience. And of course, anything you discuss with us will be kept private. If in doubt, give us a call.
These blogs are meant purely for educational purposes. They contain only general information about legal matters. They are not legal advice, and should not be treated as such. If you have any specific questions about any legal matter you should consult with an attorney.