1 in 3 Women Has Been Sexually Harassed at Work, Survey Says
By Matthew Marks on April 29th, 2015 in In The News
A study found that one in three women has been sexually harassed at work, according to a recent Huffington Post article. In addition, Cosmopolitan conducted a survey of more than 2,200 full-time and part-time female employees between the ages of 18 and 34 and discovered some alarming facts. Other statistics the study found include that only 29 percent reported the harassment, and some had been harassed in multiple situations. If you or someone you know has been sexually harassed at work, contact an experienced and aggressive sexual harassment lawyer, Queens NY.
What is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII). This federal law prohibits employment discrimination based on “race, color, religion, sex and national origin”.
According to the American Association of University Women, workplace harassment is defined as any “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature”.
Generally, there are two different types of sexual harassment claims:
Hostile work environment – when unwanted sexual advances, verbal or physical conduct in sexual form or requests for sexual favors occur in the workplace has the effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.
Factors that courts consider to determine if a work environment is hostile include:
● if the conduct was verbal or physical (or both);
● how frequently repeated was the conduct;
● if the conduct was patently offensive or hostile;
● if the alleged offender is a coworker or supervisor;
● if others joined in the harassment; and
● if the harassment was directed at one or many individuals.
Quid pro quo – this occurs when an employment decision (such as a raise, promotion, assignment or even remaining employed) is made based on a person’s submission to the sexual harassment.
What To Do
While each circumstance differs, below are a few key things you should do if you or someone you know has been sexually harassed:
● Grab your employee handbook or policies, and follow the required steps to report a sexual harassment claim. Be as detailed as possible and put everything in writing.
● If you feel safe, talk to the aggressor and (1) explain the behavior that is bothering you, (2) name the behavior and specific event, (3) let the person know the behavior is bothering you, and (4) ask them to stop.
● Contact your supervisor, letting him or her know the steps you’ve taken to address the issue.
● File a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Don’t wait, as in most cases you have 180 days (6 months) from the date of the discriminatory activity to file a charge.
Sexual Harassment Lawyer: Queens, NY
The most knowledgeable sexual harassment lawyer Queens has to offer will help you fight against unwanted sexual passes. As shown in the Cosmopolitan study, many are afraid to report sexual harassment because of the stigma involved or for fear of being reprimanded. In fact, it is against the law for an employer to allow sexual harassment in the workplace or to retaliate against an employee who reports such harassment. Don’t wait to reach out to a legal professional. Contact the most experienced sexual harassment lawyer Queens has to offer at Ricotta & Marks, P.C. today. Call (347) 464-8694 for your free initial consultation.