Employment Litigation Lawyer
Many may unknowingly experience some form of unlawful employment practices in their lifetime, and while some may be subtle, some of them may call on help from an employment litigation lawyer employees rely on for support. There are several common forms that sexual harassment can take, and dealing with issues of this nature within the workplace can be impactful; unfortunately, some who come forward to report sexual harassment stand to experience harassment. As a result, it is vital to come forward by reporting issues to human resources but, in some cases, obtaining assistance from a firm like Eric Siegel Law. Sexual harassment has a lasting impact, not only on those who have fallen victim, but also on others who may witness or be aware of the problem, and, as a result, morale can be impacted, which can have lasting impacts on both the employees and production levels within the organization.
Most Common Types of Workplace Sexual Harassment
Workplace sexual harassment can take on several forms. The key to understanding this type of behavior is to be aware that sexual harassment can be broad, sometimes evident, and nuanced in other situations. As a result, there are several types of sexual harassment situations; the most common forms include:
- Quid Pro Quo- is when a person (often a supervisor) offers job advantages like promotions, increased pay, etc., in exchange for sexual favors
- Verbal Sexual Harassment- making crude jokes, showing pictures or videos that are inappropriate, making comments, repeatedly asking for dates, requesting sexual favors, sending text messages or emails that are of a sexual nature
- Sexual Harassment of a Physical Nature- when someone makes unwanted sexual advancements or attempts to touch or even sexually assault a person physically
Should this type of sexual harassment behavior occur, it can be difficult for a victim to know what to do. In addition, the impacts can be severe. Because of this, it will be essential to take action by telling the aggressor to stop and, in some cases taking additional steps by filing a report with human resources and even taking potential legal action.
Retaliation for Reporting Sexual Harassment
Retaliation is when a person who has participated in protected employee activities such as sexual harassment, discrimination, etc., has reported mistreatment and experienced adverse action. Retaliation can take on several forms, all of which can be incredibly damaging to a person, leaving an emotional impact and resulting in financial challenges. Common examples of retaliation include:
- Being left out of meetings
- Demotions
- Pay Cuts
- Firing
- Promotion Denials
- Poor Performance Reviews
The suffering of victims as a result of retaliation can be profoundly impactful. Because of this, legal action may be a warranted next step, not only to recoup some of what has been lost but also to hold responsible parties accountable for their unlawful actions.
The Effect Sexual Harassment Has on Morale
Sexual harassment can have a long-standing impact on both the individual and the organization as a whole. As a result, sexual harassment can leave an impact on the organization and the victim, both emotionally and physically. Despite confidentiality (when followed), employees who have either been witnesses of sexual harassment or are aware of the mistreatment may also be impacted. Unfortunately, there are unintended consequences when employers fail to respond accordingly when sexual harassment is a factor. Sexual harassment can affect not only victims but also others in the workplace, which may have a lasting impact on team morale and productivity.