What to Do if You are Experiencing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

It can be a traumatizing experience to be sexually harassed at work. You need to take the right action to put a stop to it and to get the justice you deserve. And this might mean you need legal advice and representation if your company fails to take any action.  

Definition of Sexual Harassment

According to the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, it is unlawful to harass a person because of a person’s sex. This includes any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.

Steps to Take

If you have been a victim of sexual harassment at work, it is a good idea to discuss your case with a Philadelphia sexual abuse lawyer to know the proper steps to take.

First, always document and record any sexual harassment incidents. Write down all of the details including the date, time, location and any witnesses. Always be alert to your surroundings and see if you can tell if this is happening to anyone else in the workplace place. Try to gather and keep together all of your evidence including these documents, emails, phone records, recordings, videos, texts or any social media contact. It is smart to keep these records in a safe place where no one can end up finding them. You might want to even leave these documents with your trusted legal representation.

You always need to report any sexual harassment incidents to your work. Every workplace should have a sexual harassment policy and you must follow this before going forward with any legal action. This gives your employer a chance to make any changes since they are liable.

If your employer fails to take action, you will want to file a complaint with the EEOC and this must be done within 180 to 300 days of the incident. This is why it is wise to speak with a lawyer to get legal advice and guidance. A good lawyer will know what you need to boost the chances of winning of your case, while also being respectful and supportive during this sensitive time.