If these concerns sound familiar, know that you don’t have to face this alone. An employment law attorney can explain your options and help you take action to protect yourself and your future.
At Bernabei & Kabat, PLLC, our team has more than 75 years of combined experience standing up for workers’ rights nationwide. We know how to handle sexual harassment cases, and you can count on us to take your story seriously. We can help you push back, seek justice, and demand a fair outcome.
Contact our team today for an initial consultation session. You have the right to feel safe at work, and we’re here to help you take your next steps.
There are two main types of sexual harassment. In quid pro quo harassment, someone in charge offers benefits like promotions in exchange for sex or threatens punishment if you say no. In a hostile work environment, someone makes repeated comments or actions that make it hard for you to do your job.
Sexual harassment isn’t always physical. It can also involve inappropriate texts, emails, or images. The harassment doesn’t need to cause major harm for it to be a problem. If the behavior upsets you or makes work uncomfortable, you may have a legal claim.
Federal law protects workers across the country from sexual harassment. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal for employers to harass someone because of their sex. This law applies to most private employers, government agencies, and labor unions with 15 or more employees.
Many states also have their own laws protecting workers from sexual harassment. These state laws often protect workers in smaller companies or give victims more time to file claims. Some state laws explicitly cover harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity, which federal law does not.
If you experience sexual harassment in the workplace, you can file a complaint under both federal and state law. You do not have to choose just one. In many cases, filing with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) also covers your state claim.
Sexual harassment at work can take many forms. Sometimes, it’s loud and obvious. Other times, it’s subtle but still harmful. No matter how it appears, sexual harassment can make a job feel stressful or unsafe. Here are some different ways harassment can happen in the workplace:
If you face sexual harassment at work, you can take legal action with an attorney’s help. The law gives you the right to ask for monetary compensation for the harm you suffered. For example, you can seek back pay if you lost wages or missed out on a raise or promotion due to the harassment. You can also recover compensation for future pay if the harassment forced you to leave your job.
Courts may also award money for emotional distress if the harassment caused you to suffer anxiety, sleep problems, or other psychological issues. In some cases, you can even seek extra money in the form of punitive damages. Courts order at-fault employers to pay this type of monetary award in cases of extreme wrongdoing, such as knowing about the harassment and refusing to stop it.
You can also demand to have your job back or to receive a promotion your employer denied. If you hire a lawyer, you can often recover the cost of your legal fees, too.
Legally speaking, employers cannot punish you for reporting sexual harassment. Federal law makes it illegal for them to fire you, cut your hours, change your schedule, or treat you unfairly for speaking up. If you report harassment to a manager, human resources, or the EEOC, or even just support a coworker who makes a complaint, the law grants you specific legal protections.
You do not have to stay quiet or “prove” the original harassment right away to bring a retaliation claim. If your boss starts treating you badly right after you report something, that timing matters. Courts and agencies look at both the report and the employer’s response in retaliation cases.
Bernabei & Kabat, PLLC, works with people across the country who face backlash for standing up. Our firm helps clients protect their jobs and hold employers accountable when they break the law. You do not have to face retaliation alone. You have legal options, and we can help you take action.
Sexual harassment laws can feel confusing, and employers often try to protect themselves instead of fixing the problem. The good news is that you do not have to handle a sexual harassment case on your own. A lawyer can explain your options in plain language and help you assert your rights by:
