Sexual harassment can be overwhelming and traumatizing, especially when it happens in the workplace. If you become a victim or witness to these incidents, you should seek help by reporting it to your employer.
Whether it happened one time or repeatedly over a period of time, employers are responsible for responding to complaints promptly and appropriately. The law also provides protections to victims of sexual harassment . After you formally inform your employer about the incident, you should expect them to react accordingly:
- Initiate an investigation, which also includes conducting interviews with the involved parties.
- Review collected facts and evidence, helping determine ways to correct the situation appropriately.
- Take measures to protect you against retaliation or further harassment during the investigation and after closing the case.
- Follow the legal process and cooperate if the incident is too severe to address internally.
When it comes to sexual harassment, employers should play an active role in protecting victims and disciplining perpetrators. If you file a report and your employer responds inappropriately or even retaliates against you, it could be reasonable to seek other options to resolve the incident. Getting help from relevant government agencies such as the EEOC or state / local anti-discrimination agencies might be essential if the employer’s process is inadequate and fails to take your complaint seriously.
Being proactive against sexual harassment at work
Any form of sexual harassment in the workplace can lead to complications, considering that a single report may cause further hostility or retaliation. Since victims could be vulnerable, employers should offer support and proceed while maintaining procedures that meet legal requirements. When in doubt, victims can take a more proactive approach in certain instances, such as seeking legal guidance to help them exercise their rights and protections.